The 6-foot-7 left-hander has the type of arm that scouts salivate over, as his fastball sits at 96-97 miles per hour regularly and can reach 99 miles per hour occasionally.
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The Reds will make two more picks Thursday. Some experts projected Senzel would be drafted anywhere from No. 2 overall to No. 10. His final college season was his best, as he slashed.352/.456/.595 to earn a spot as a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes award. He also stole 25 bases in 29 attempts. We think his power will improve the more he plays.
If the Reds end up taking him with their second pick, he’ll pass Todd Helton, who was selected No. 8 overall in 1995, as the highest draft pick in Tennessee Volunteer history. “He’s a complete player, runs, throws and plays his position well”.
Senzel and Perez represented the pair of upper-tier infield prospects in this year’s draft, though Senzel is a more polished product than the 17-year old Perez and doesn’t come with the baggage of a failed drug test.
He was named a 2016 All-American by Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and Baseball America.
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Playing in a smaller conference has certainly helped inflate his gaudy numbers, leaving scouts questioning whether or not he can succeed at the next level. After a stellar summer campaign with the Cape Cod League’s Brewster Whitecaps, Senzel also took home 2015 Cape Cod League MVP and Summer Collegiate Player of the Year honors. He wasn’t regarded as the player with the highest ceiling in the draft, but he could very well have the highest floor.
