Welcome back to LWOS 2016 MLB Draft Coverage, the column that brings you player profiles for the next crop of professional baseball players that are likely to be selected in the upcoming draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow us on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical profiles and scouting reports. Click here to check out our complete coverage of the 2016 MLB Draft. Last Word On Sports is your new headquarters for all things 2016 MLB Draft!
Overview:
School: University of Tennessee
Position: Second Base/Third Base
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 205 lbs.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Nick Senzel 2016 MLB Draft Profile
Nick Senzel grew up in Farragut, Tennessee before committing to play college ball right down the road at the University of Tennessee. Prior to the 2015 season, Senzel was viewed as a fourth-sixth round draft pick before being named MVP of the Cape Cod League later that summer after posting an out of this world .364/.418/.558 slash line.
Senzel has only seen his stock continue to soar as he has been able to build on his MVP performance and get off to an equally dominant start this season with the Volunteers. Senzel is seen as one of the top hitters in this draft class, but there have been questions about his ability to play the field.
Strengths:
- Ability to hit for average and has potential to be a power bat
- Fluid swing that should lead to very few swing and misses
- Strong pitch recognition; will regularly work deep into counts
- 1:1 K:BB ratio
- Above-average arm strength
- Surprisingly agile given his build
Weaknesses:
- Can be a bit stiff in the field
- Not set at a specific position, but most likely to settle in at third base
- Stocky build, may eventually play himself out of third
- While he has the potential for power, he has only hit a handful of home runs in his college career
MLB Comparison: Maikel Franco, Philadelphia Phillies
Projected Pick Range: Senzel should be viewed as a top ten pick, with an outside shot to be picked in the top-five.
Most Likely Landing Spot: San Diego Padres
Bottom Line:
While there may be concerns about how Nick Senzel might perform on the field, there is little doubt that he will be one of the premier bats in the draft. Senzel provides enough athleticism and instincts that he should continue to prove doubters wrong as a capable third baseman.
It would be tough for the San Diego Padres to pass on a player who could move quickly through their system and make an impact with the big league squad within a few years of being drafted. Senzel possesses the kind of bat that would do just that, and without a quality third base prospect in their farm system, it would be hard to imagine the Padres passing on the most professional hitter in this draft.
As for career outlook, Nick Senzel could be the kind of player that hits in the .280-.290 range and has the potential to be a twenty home run threat. Whether he remains at third base will largely depend on how his body develops during the course of his career.
Sources: Fangraphs, The Good Phight
Main Photo Saul Young/News Sentinel/Getty Images
