Washington Nationals Place Former Top Prospect On Waivers

The Washington Nationals have designated former top prospect Nick Senzel for assignment, marking a significant move in their ongoing roster reshuffling. 

Senzel, who signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Nationals in the offseason, struggled to make an impact this season. Posting a .209/.303/.359 slash line with seven home runs over 235 plate appearances, Senzel's struggles at the major league level continued. 

His season was further hampered by a fractured thumb sustained at the end of Spring Training, which sidelined him early and affected his form.

Nick Senzel is the odd man out with Trey Lipscomb up to play 3B, via source.

Senzel, 29, is hitting .209 with a .662 OPS on the season. He’s batting .157 over his last 15 games and .192 over his last 30 contests.

20th percentile bat value
24th percentile glove value

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) July 6, 2024

Senzel, once the second overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds, was initially touted as a cornerstone player. 

However, his career has been marred by a series of injuries and inconsistent performances. Despite showing potential as an everyday player, Senzel faced multiple position changes, moving from the infield to the outfield, and eventually settling into a utility role. 

His tenure with the Reds ended with a demotion to the minors in 2023, and his brief stint with the Nationals failed to revive his trajectory.

The Nationals recalled INF Trey Lipscomb from Triple-A Rochester and designated 3B Nick Senzel for assignment on Saturday.

More: https://t.co/PBu9uG6c1h pic.twitter.com/wM2s8LhhN7

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 6, 2024

The Nationals' decision to DFA Senzel reflects their commitment to prioritizing younger talent and building for the future. As a result, the team has called up infielder Trey Lipscomb from Triple-A Rochester, who is expected to take over third base duties. 

This move, along with the recent promotion of top outfield prospect James Wood, signals a clear shift towards developing homegrown talent. 

Over his six-year MLB career, the 29-year-old Senzel holds a .235/.302/.368 triple-slash line, with 40 home runs, 143 RBIs, 33 stolen bases, and 200 runs scored across 441 games played.

Photo Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports