Colorado Rockies: Young Candidate Emerging for Fifth Starter Role?

There has been a lot of discussion in the offseason about who could take over the fifth starter role for the Colorado Rockies during the 2017 season. Plenty of names have been thrown out there, but it’s very possible that a somewhat darkhorse candidate is emerging for the position.

While names like Chris Rusin, Jeff Hoffman and Kyle Freeland may have dominated the talk or the headlines, Antonio Senzatela is methodically proving himself worthy of discussion as well.

Since joining the Rockies in 2012, Senzatela has put together a 41-19 mark in the minors with a 2.45 ERA in 88 games (87 starts). Last season at Double-A Hartford, the highest level he has reached in his professional career, Senzatela posted a 4-1 mark with a 1.82 ERA in seven starts. He battled shoulder inflammation twice last season that limited his time on the mound.

That was then. Senzatela and the Rockies, however, are focused on the present and what seems like a very bright future.

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The 22-year-old right-hander threw three solid innings against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday in Colorado’s 3-2 win in Surprise, Ariz. He allowed one hit and struck out four in an impressive showing.

“He’s on our radar. There are a handful of guys we’re looking at for potential rotation spots,” Colorado manager Bud Black told Rox Pile. “He showed very well.”

So far this spring, Senzatela has put together a 3.86 ERA in three outings. He allowed two hits in two innings on February 25 against the Arizona Diamondbacks before having his lone dud of spring training thus far. On March 2, the Kansas City Royals touched him for four hits and three earned runs in two innings of work. He also gave up a home run.

Tuesday, however, was a return to the form that has Rockies coaches very intrigued with what the native of Venezuela can offer.

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“It comes out nice. The upper body works well. He has that high front side,” Black said. “He throws the ball downhill with some angle. He’s got velocity. He has a nice tight little slider and good changeup. Our minor league people like this guy a lot. There’s a reason for that.”