Expectations for Senzel in 2020

[M2]

seems like a reach

Sticking him in CF is the reach. Kid has spent his whole making himself into a quality IF (he'd have a GG ceiling at 3B) and now he's logging a whole bunch of extra mileage out in CF. That position puts serious wear and tear on your legs. Maybe Senzel eventually adapts to it or maybe the Reds only get the B+ version of him at the plate. That's probably a solid player, but I subscribe to the notion that maximizing what the players do ultimately benefits the team.

[westofyou]

Sticking him in CF is the reach. Kid has spent his whole making himself into a quality IF (he'd have a GG ceiling at 3B) and now he's logging a whole bunch of extra mileage out in CF. That position puts serious wear and tear on your legs. Maybe Senzel eventually adapts to it or maybe the Reds only get the B+ version of him at the plate. That's probably a solid player, but I subscribe to the notion that maximizing what the players do ultimately benefits the team.

Lots of guys get the reps in CF in their first couple years, hard position to master, a good portion with bats do get moved, Reds are likely to look for a real CF and move Senzel to 2b

[Griffey012]

Put him in the infield.

Why? He is fine in CF?

[ukredsfan]

Adjusting to the majors is hard. A new position your first year in the big leauges is hard. I don't know what he will be, but I haven't seen anything to make me think he'll be a bust
Barry Larkin hit .244 his first full season as a starter in 1987. It takes time. I'm not saying Sensel is the next Larkin, but I'm can't yet say he isn't, and that's the point.

[Wonderful Monds]

It’s not the .770 OPS that has me concerned at all, the only thing that gives me even mild pause is that his BB% is a lower than you’d like to see. I hate to make kneejerk reactions, but I also had a brief thought the other day that his rookie numbers are kind of similar to Jay Bruce’s in that sense.

I still think his best upside comp is an Alex Bregman type guy, and he had very similar numbers to Senzel this season as a rookie as well, so Nick isn’t necessarily off that path at all yet.

[Griffey012]

It’s not the .770 OPS that has me concerned at all, the only thing that gives me even mild pause is that his BB% is a lower than you’d like to see. I hate to make kneejerk reactions, but I also had a brief thought the other day that his rookie numbers are kind of similar to Jay Bruce’s in that sense.

I still think his best upside comp is an Alex Bregman type guy, and he had very similar numbers to Senzel this season as a rookie as well, so Nick isn’t necessarily off that path at all yet.

Big difference between Senzel and Bruce is that Senzel sprays the ball all over the field. I expect the BB% to rise a bit and the K% to decrease a bit next year. The question is if his power increases or not. That has been the most disappointing aspect thus far. But I think that was always expected to be something that would take time to develop.

[Wonderful Monds]

Big difference between Senzel and Bruce is that Senzel sprays the ball all over the field. I expect the BB% to rise a bit and the K% to decrease a bit next year. The question is if his power increases or not. That has been the most disappointing aspect thus far. But I think that was always expected to be something that would take time to develop.

For that reason I would like to see him lead off less. I’m not sure if he’s changing his approach to fit the lead off spot, but it couldn’t hurt regardless to keep him in the middle of the order. I’m not super concerned about his power at this point yet though, seems like a lot of guys don’t hit their full power potential as rookies.

[HammerTime]

162 game avg right now would be 37 doubles - 7 triples - 19 HR - 71 RBI - 19 SB - 49 BB - 156 SO

.267/.324/.444 OPS+ 94

BB # is too low for my liking, his slash line is a bit lower than I would have liked. Not terrible for a rookie. Excited to see what 2020 will bring for him.

[TRF]

Right now, he's RH Jesse Winker without the power.

Move him to 2B, where he'd be a plus defender and get a real CF.

As to my expectations, I think we'll see an uptick in power at some point. He still looks like sub 20 HR guy to me though. GABP suppresses doubles, but he does have speed. Not sure I am buying at 40 doubles, but 30+ seems right.

It isn't my or our expectaions that matter its what role do the Reds see him in next year? He is not a good CF. He's ok there. That won't do with Winker/Ervin in LF plodding along like Clydesdales with iron gloves.

[PuffyPig]

Right now, he's RH Jesse Winker without the power.

Move him to 2B, where he'd be a plus defender and get a real CF.

As to my expectations, I think we'll see an uptick in power at some point. He still looks like sub 20 HR guy to me though. GABP suppresses doubles, but he does have speed. Not sure I am buying at 40 doubles, but 30+ seems right.

It isn't my or our expectaions that matter its what role do the Reds see him in next year? He is not a good CF. He's ok there. That won't do with Winker/Ervin in LF plodding along like Clydesdales with iron gloves.

Maybe we can maximize his value by making him a late game PR and defensive specialist?

[adkindo]

Lots of guys get the reps in CF in their first couple years, hard position to master, a good portion with bats do get moved, Reds are likely to look for a real CF and move Senzel to 2b

I see nothing the Reds are doing or saying that suggest your claim is likely.

[adkindo]

Why? He is fine in CF?

He had not played one inning in CF, and there were a segment of fans throwing tantrums about him not being @ 2nd base. I think if in 5 years he is an All Star in CF, the same segment of fans will still be calling to move him to 2nd base. He has been very good in CF considering he had never played the position until this year, and is likely to improve significantly over the next year or two. I would definitely not look to move him in the next couple years.

[WVRedsFan]

He's barely even been in the minors. He's hitting .268 or so, hitting HR's, is fast, and shows good baseball sense. I think he will be a star once he gets to play his normal infield position.

[Mitri]

I see nothing the Reds are doing or saying that suggest your claim is likely.

When they get someone else to play CF is probably when they move him off CF.

[TRF]

Maybe we can maximize his value by making him a late game PR and defensive specialist?

cute.

Did I suggest that? Did I say not play him? Here is what I am saying, in the last 5 years, hell last 11 years, the Reds have produced one legit star/superstar: Votto. Period. That's the list. 2008, Joey Votto. (yeah, Cueto, Castillo... sure. Talking offense here.)

In the last 5 years, and this is a really quick look.

NL West
LAD Muncy, Seager, Bellinger, Verdugo
AZ Walker (maybe)
SD Tatis Jr, Renfroe, Maybe Naylor
COL Story, Arrenado, McMahon (maybe)
SF - goose egg.

NL Central
STL DeJong (maybe)
CHI Baez, Bryant, Schwarber
PIT Bell, Reynolds
MIL Hiura
CIN

NL East
NYM Alonso, Conforto, McNeil
ATL Albies, Acuna, Swanson
WAS Turner, Soto, Robles
PHI Hoskins
MIA nothing currently, but 2 years ago their roster had a homegrown SUPERSTAR OF and C.

AL West
LAA Ohtani, and a few years earlier than 5 years ago Trout.
HOU Bregman, Correa, Alvarez, Gurrriel
OAK Olson, Chapman, Laureano
TEX Gallo, maybe Calhoun
SEA nada

AL Central
MIN Garver, Sano, Rosario, Buxton, Kepler and going back an extra year, Polanco. Luis Arraez is killing it in a limited sample.
CLE Lindor, Ramirez
CHI - ehh they stink.
KC Dozier, Merrifield
DET - god they are bad.

AL East
NYY Sanchez, Torres, Judge, Tauchman
TBR - Weird team
BOS Benintendi, Devers, Betts, and a bit before them Bogaerts
TOR Bichette, Guerrero Jr, Gurriel Jr., jury still out on Biggio.
BAL Mancini, Man that team is barren.

Some of these guys listed are potential stars, and that's what Senzel is. It seems though that the Reds have had a lot of trouble developing MLB players, but rather guys that play in the MLB. It'd be nice if VanMeter, Aquino, Senzel, Winker all take monumental steps forward into star/super star status. I'm not sure they can/will. It'd be nice if they do though.