I consider myself to be a baseball card set collector first, then a Barry Larkin collector second. In a very distant third place, I'd say I am a player collector of other Cincinnati Reds players (plus a few non-Reds). Typically, if I decide to collect a guy, it's because the guy is established in MLB. However, every now and then, I get caught up in the rookie hype and start to stash away cards of certain "can't miss" prospects.
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Today, that can't miss prospect is Nick Senzel.
Senzel was the Reds' first-round draft pick (#2 overall) back in 2016. He was touted as a "can't miss" prospect with a high floor and even higher ceiling. Senzel made his MLB debut for the Reds in 2019, playing in 104 games. He hit .256 that year with 12 HR and 42 RBI. All things considered, a great first year in the bigs, and Reds fans were hoping it was a sign of greatness to come.
Unfortunately, Senzel's remaining Reds' career went downhill quickly. In Covid-shortened 2020, he hit only .186. From there, things didn't get any better as he posted a negative WAR in 2021, 2022, and a WAR of exactly 0 in 2023 with the Reds.
In 2023, Senzel became a free agent and eventually signed with the Nationals in December 2023. By July 2024, the Nationals released Senzel. Nick rebounded quickly by signing with the White Sox, but that stop was short as he was out of the big leagues by the end of August. Currently, Senzel is toiling away for the Dodgers' AA Tulsa Drillers farm team.
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Obviously, with a career lacking any greatness for the Reds and with Nick Senzel no longer with the Reds' organization, it's time for me to clean house and get rid of my modest Nick Senzel collection. So much for a "can't miss" high draft pick prospect, right?!
I never specifically collect a player's cards. I have favorites, Ron Cey, Orel Hershiser, etc., and will add them more often than another Dodger, say Carl Crawford, but way too much disappointment involved in hinging you collecting hopes on one guy. (P.S.: I noted when the Dodgers added Senzel,, and I thought he was still with the Reds).
ReplyDeleteI like collecting rookie cards of established players... but my interest in investing in prospects started fading in the early 90's and officially died when I sold off my collection in the early 2000's. That doesn't mean I don't ever buy 1st Bowman cards... but it has to be dirt cheap and low risk.
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