Colorado Rockies: 4 good things that happened in 2020

Remember back to the start of spring training in Scottsdale in 2020 and how much of the worry with Colorado’s rotation would be what happened with the fourth and fifth starters. After all, the Rockies were confident with German Marquez, Kyle Freeland, and Jon Gray … but what was to come after that?

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Well, Antonio Senzatela absolutely exceeded expectations, leading the Rockies in 2020 in bWAR at 2.8. He also paced the Rockies in wins with five and a 3.44 ERA (pitching 73.1 innings across his 12 starts). His complete game win over the Oakland A’s on September 15 saw him scatter six hits and need 109 pitches to notch Colorado’s first complete game at home since Gray in 2016.

Senzatela was durable and effective in 2020, becoming one of just three National League pitchers to record multiple outings of eight innings or more. He also recorded two scoreless outings (pitching eight innings on August 18 at Houston and seven innings at home on August 29 against San Diego).

How good was Senzatela in 2020? He made five starts (pitching at least six innings in each start) where he allowed one or fewer runs, and they were all against teams who would advance to the postseason.