The Dodgers have reached agreement with infielder Nick Senzel on a minor league contract, reports Daniel Álvarez-Montes of El Extrabase. He’ll presumably head to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Senzel makes his return to affiliated ball after a brief stop in Mexico. The former #2 overall pick had signed with the Mexican League’s Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos. It didn’t take long for him to find interest from a big league club. Senzel hit .591 with three homers, four walks, and one strikeout over six games. That attracts attention even in an exceptionally hitter-friendly league.
A veteran of parts of six MLB seasons, Senzel divided last year between a pair of rebuilding clubs. He signed a $2MM deal with the Nationals and was released in July after hitting .209/.303/.359 over 64 games. Senzel briefly caught on with the White Sox, but they moved on after just 10 appearances. He elected free agency in August and had remained unsigned until getting the opportunity in Mexico.
Senzel never panned out as the Reds had expected when they drafted him so highly. He turned in a .239/.302/.369 line through parts of five seasons — much of that spent as Cincinnati’s primary third baseman. He’ll try to get back to the highest level in Los Angeles, where third base has been an issue. Max Muncy is out to a .171/.273/.237 start with 32 strikeouts in 88 plate appearances.
Dude is a former top prospect and is hitting nearly .600 in Mexico. That’ll get you another opportunity in affiliated ball. Will probably hit .350 in OKC and get another chance with LA. They have a history of turning guys around, but Senzel has his own history of getting injured often. Let’s see how this plays out. Definitely worth a gamble…
“Ask a different question”
–Jodie Foster
The key is having someone ready to replace Muncy, if he continues to self destruct. He usually starts slow. Then, he will contribute 30 some home runs, while continuing to hit at or below the Mendoza Line. This year he appears to be lost at the plate. As mentioned, he is hitting .171/.273/.237. His strikeouts are absurd and he has zero homers and four RBIs in 88 at bats. The season is 16% over. I doubt Senzel is the answer at 3b but Muncy is killing the Dodgers.
Muncy is a superior defender and, despite the paltry offense this year, is still offering positive value. Whatever offensive gains a miraculously improved Senzel creates would, in fact, be offset by the diminished team defense. If Max Muncy is either killing your team or the player your team is trying to replace, you’re in great shape haha
No offense, but you’re quite wrong on him offering positive value lol. -0.2 WAR, negative defensive value, 57 wrc+… in literally no way has he been a positive contributor.