With the second overall pick in the draft, the Reds have selected infielder Nick Senzel from the University of Tennessee. MLB.com seemed to think Senzel would have been the first position player off the board, and had correctly him going second overall to the Reds. Jim Callis believed that if the Phillies didn't take A.J. Puk, he and Perez were the only other two options that the Reds are considering. In mock drafts from ESPN and Baseball America mock drafts, Senzel made it to the Athletics at sixth overall, though Law admitted that was perhaps a low estimation.
Senzel is thought of as the most polished infielders in the draft, and could serve as a long-term replacement for recently traded third baseman Todd Frazier in Cincinnati. The Reds do not have a left-side infielder among their top 10 prospects (per MLB.com), making Senzel fit their system 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.. The third baseman is a junior at Tennessee and is a five-tool threat. He projects as above average all-around, but with average power and speed. At 6-foot-1, 205 lb. Senzel has worked hard to become a benefit to his team in the field, and has been moved from designated hitting and second base duties to the hot corner as a result.
Baseball America is the more bullish of the two rankings on Senzel, having him ranked sixth overall and first among infielders. MLB.com has Senzel at ninth on their big board, just behind fellow infielder Perez. He had a real shot at being the first position player pulled off the board come draft day, though the surprise pick of Mickey Moniak at No. 1 changed things.