Nick Senzel rolled into calendar year 2019 having never once been a professional center fielder. By the end of February, that’s exactly what he was, and what he was going to be - not just as a pro, but as a big leaguer. After an inevitable, shady service-time induced demotion, he wrecked his ankle sliding into a base in one of the final minor league spring training games held in Arizona, a scenario that was equal parts frustrating and debilitating to both Senzel and the Cincinnati Reds season-opening karma.
It was a rough start to the year for the 23 year old rookie, the prized prospect of the Reds system.