Zack Cozart is likely out the door this offseason with Eugenio Suarez moving to shortstop while Jose Peraza goes super-utility, and, after his previous season, that might be the only time ‘super’ is used in regards to Peraza. That’s my best guess for Nick Senzel getting into the Reds’ lineup as the starting 3rd baseman. If Cozart is re-signed, or the Reds want Suarez and Peraza both in the lineup or the Reds sign someone else, it throws this post into question. To this point, my only questionable life decision was frosting my hair in the 90’s, so I’m fine with writing this post as questionable decision number two in my life. Even in a best case scenario, Senzel will likely start the year in the minors until June, with Suarez not moving to short until then. So, if Peraza and Suarez have a huge first two months, then Senzel might get delayed, even though it will appear in March like it’s a matter of time, so, yeah, this will be iffy on playing time. What else is iffy about him? Not much, which is why there’s even a Nick Senzel 2018 fantasy outlook post. So, what can we expect from Nick Senzel for 2018 fantasy baseball?
Not to arouse Prospector Ralph, but Senzel looks like NL’s answer to Andrew Benintendi. Andrew Seniorcircuitendi? Hmm, maybe not. At 22 years of age, Senzel looks like he could enter a major league lineup in April, hit .280+ with a 20/20 season. *finds a woman on the street* “Could you make a kissy face?” *gets smacked* “Wait! I just wanted to emphasize how sexy this Nick is.” *gets smacked again* “This Nick is! Ugh, forget it.” Senzel doesn’t use his lower half much in his swing — you got no motion in the ocean! This could limit his power. Though, it makes me think if he gets stuck in an elevator with Josh Donaldson, Senzel could start hitting 35+ bombs. “I literally just have to touch you and you will become the power hitter you always dreamed of.” That’s Donaldson in an elevator. Like Benintendi, Senzel appears like a safe bet to hit the ground running. Hold on, frontal lobe, I’ll get to his speed. In Double-A, he hit .340 with only a 18% strikeout rate, while walking 11% of the time. This is pretty much his profile, and his strongest attribute. Even if all else fails, I think he can hit .290+ for many years. Obviously, since he’s so young, there’s time for him to mature into his power, and this is a guy who still hit ten homers in only 209 Double-A at-bats. Oh, and his speed, yeah, he’s got that too. His caught stealing rate wasn’t impressive, but he still grabbed five bags in those 57 Double-A games. Prospector Ralph compares him to Alex Bregman in his top 50 2018 fantasy baseball prospects, who just stole 18 bases. It’s almost like I’m looking at Senzel and wondering how he can fail and I can’t figure out a way. Maybe injuries, I guess, and now I may as well call him, Jinxes Enzel. For 2018, I’ll give Senzel the projections of 58/14/63/.271/10 in 378 ABs, but there’s plenty more here if he gets a shot on Opening Day. I’m loving Andrew Seniorcircuitendi! Yeah, still not working.
