REDS GET THEIR MAN

As soon as the Philadelphia Phillies took high school outfielder Mickey Moniak, University of Tennessee third baseman Nick Senzel received a call from his advisers that he’d be the Cincinnati Reds’ pick at No. 2.

“This is the guy we wanted. He’s a very polished player, one of the better hitters, if not the best hitter, in the draft,” Red scouting director Chris Buckley said. “We think his power will improve the more he plays. He’s a complete player, runs, throws and plays his position well.”

Senzel was certainly seen as the best college hitter available. This past year at Tennessee, the junior hit .352 with a .456 onbase percentage and .595 slugging percentage with eight home runs and 59 RBI in 57 games. Senzel struck out just 21 times and walked 40 times while hitting 25 doubles. He also stole 25 bases in 29 attempts.

The Reds have been high on him since last summer, when he was the MVP of the woodbat Cape Cod League. At Tennessee, Senzel played all four infield positions.

His college coach, Dave Serrano, said he has no doubt Senzel could stick at third and even thinks he could start at shortstop.

“His arm strength is tremendous, his range is good,” Serrano said. “He saved us a few games just with what he did defensively.”

The other question is his power. He had just eight home runs this season, but his last came off fellow first-rounder A.J. Puk of Florida.

Undrafted out of high school, 6-1, 205-pound Senzel has added more power in each of his three years in college.

“I think playing in the SEC the last three years has helped me out tremendously,” said Senzel, 20. “I think the overall grind of the minor leagues … I’ve played a lot of games. It’s an everyday, in and out grind. It will be the biggest challenge for me moving forward.”

C. Trent Rosecrans, The Cincinnati Enquirer