Reds non-tender former No. 2 overall pick Nick Senzel

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Sep 17, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder Nick Senzel (15) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets during the fifth inning at Citi Field.
Sep 17, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder Nick Senzel (15) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets during the fifth inning at Citi Field.
Image: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Former No. 2 overall pick Nick Senzel wasn't tendered a 2024 contract by the Cincinnati Reds prior to Friday's deadline for arbitration-eligible players and is now a free agent.

Before the Reds officially announced the move, Senzel had already posted a picture of his family on Instagram with a heart emoji and said, "It was an honor, excited for the future."

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Senzel, 28, batted .239 with 33 homers and 125 RBIs in 377 games over five seasons for Cincinnati. He was primarily an outfielder but also played 62 games at third base.

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He reached the majors in 2019 amid high expectations and batted .256 with 12 homers and 42 RBIs in 104 games.

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But he batted just .186 in 70 at-bats during the pandemic-shortended 2020 campaign and never reached his potential in ensuing seasons.

Last season, Senzel batted .236 with a career-best 13 homers in 104 games. He matched his career-high of 42 RBIs but slugged just .399.

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Senzel was briefly demoted to Triple-A Louisville in August before returning to the Reds.

Senzel was drafted by the Reds in 2016 just behind the Philadelphia Phillies, who used the top selection on outfielder Mickey Moniak.

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Among the notable players picked after Senzel were right-handers Ian Anderson (No. 3 overall, Atlanta Braves) and Cal Quantrill (No. 8, San Diego Padres), outfielder Kyle Lewis (No. 11, Seattle Mariners) and catcher Will Smith (No. 32, Los Angeles Dodgers).

The Reds also non-tendered right-hander Derek Law and left-hander Reiver Sanmartin.

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—Field Level Media