Nick Senzel Exceeds High Expectations

Best Player: The second overall pick in the draft always carries high expectations, but even early in his career, Nick Senzel has exceeded those expectations.

Senzel hit .329/.415/.567 in 58 games at low Class A Dayton of the Midwest League. Entering the draft, many questioned his power potential and ability to stick at third. So far, he’s shown both power and good defense. In addition to his seven home runs, he also had 23 doubles and three triples for the Dragons.

“Nick is a really good athlete, an underrated athlete,” Reds farm director Jeff Graupe said. “A plus runner, a plus thrower on top of the professional at-bats everyone’s seen since college. I think it’s natural that his power is unlocked.”

Best Pitcher: The Reds gambled on lefthander Amir Garrett’s arm and athleticism when they gave him a large bonus after picking him in the 22nd round of the 2011 draft. The team was also patient waiting out his basketball career.

In his third full season as a baseball player, that $1 million signing bonus looks like a bargain.

Garrett dominated the Southern League, going 5-3, 1.75 in 13 starts before being promoted to Triple-A Louisville. With the Bats, he was 2-5, 3.46 in 12 appearances.

“Amir has really taken his raw physical ability and learned how to pitch this season,” Graupe said. “A lot of that is what we wanted to see at the Triple-A level where you have to, just dealing with the veteran players and he’s really taken to it really well. He’s had a couple of hiccups he’s bounced back from, which is great to see. He hasn’t coasted, which to us is a positive. He’s worked to get better. I think he’s earned all the accolades and success he’s had.”

Keep An Eye On: At 5-foot-8, Shed Long doesn’t look like a power hitter, but his 15 home runs between Dayton and high Class A Daytona say otherwise.

Graupe says the difference is in his strong, quick wrists, which generate most of his power, including 30 doubles and five triples, as well. The Reds tried Long behind the plate but have moved the 2013 12th-round pick out of Jacksonville (Ala.) High, to second base.

“I do think catching is a defensive position that you have to put so much focus into it that the game becomes a little unnatural,” Graupe said. “I think the move to second base not only gets his bat in the lineup more offense, but it frees him up a little bit and allows him to be more athletic and be the player that he is.”