As Cincinnati Reds struggle, top prospect Nick Senzel remains with Triple-A Louisville

Here are the stats: Since Eugenio Suarez has been out, Reds third basemen were 1 for 25 with three errors entering Sunday.

Meanwhile, the team’s No. 1 prospect, Nick Senzel, a third baseman by trade, remains at Triple-A. Senzel started off well for the Louisville Bats. He had two hits in each of the first two games. He struggled a bit for the next four games, but he had five hits in his last three games entering Sunday.

The date has passed by which the Reds can call up Senzel and retain control of Senzel for another year.

If the Reds were 11-2, there would be no reason to be talking about Senzel. But the Reds entered Sunday 2-11 and last in the National League in runs scored.

It sounds like if it were manager Bryan Price’s call, Senzel would be with the Reds.

“We’re an organization,” Price said. “We’re not one person. This is not a situation where one person gets to say: This is what happens. This is a decision that’s made by a lot of people for a lot of varying reasons. That’s where I stand on it. I think he could help us. There’s also the argument that the people who see him and know him better than I do need to feel like he’s ready. When that time comes, I would think we’ll see him here. Especially with Geno out.”

The Reds are a team in desperate need of a spark. Senzel, 22, seems like a guy to provide it. Senzel is No. 7 prospect in all of baseball, according to Baseball America. He played shortstop and third base during spring training. He's played second base and third for Louisville.

“He plays with his hair on fire,” Price said. “He plays hard. That’s what I know.”

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