Reflecting on a Stellar Spring for Rockies Right-Hander Antonio Senzatela

Now that he is finally back and fully healthy for the first time since 2022, Colorado Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela is looking better than ever.

Following a solid 2021, the Rockies signed him to a five-year extension worth $50.5 million.

It has been a long road for Senzatela since signing that extension.

He suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in August 2022, followed by Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2023.

Both devastating injuries resulted in five combined games played in 2023-24.

However, the results this spring for Senzatela have been very encouraging.

State of the Rockies Rotation Only time will tell if Antonio Senzatelas spring performance leads to a successful regular season.

Spring training stats have to always be taken with a grain of salt.

But Senzatela having a normal spring for the first time in a couple of seasons is hopeful for his prospects.

Senzatela and RHP German Marquez making it through the spring without injury issues can not be overstated.

The Rockies have a very thin rotation and will need Marquez and Senzatela to be healthy and effective.

Their margin for error in the rotation has already been tested.

Left-hander Austin Gomber is opening the season on the injured list with shoulder soreness.

When the Rockies Opening Day 26-man roster came out, they had a four-man rotation listed.

All four players, Senzatela, Marquez, LHP Kyle Freeland , and RHP Ryan Feltner , have dealt with injuries in the past couple of seasons.

However, it appears the Rockies are banking on Gomber having a short stay on the IL .

They are also not wanting to rush prized right-handed pitching prospect Chase Dollander .

The Rockies hand will be forced if another injury to the rotation occurs before Gomber returns.

Not only are they counting on a healthy Senzatela, but an effective one.

If his spring performance carries into the regular season, they will get one.

A Stellar Spring for Antonio Senzatela Senzatelas excellent 1.21 ERA is first in the Cactus League and is easily the best in the Rockies rotation.

Freeland, Marquez, and Feltner all had ERAs north of five.

Only righty Bradley Blalock , who was acquired last season in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, came close to Senzatelas numbers.

Blalock will start as a long reliever out of the bullpen, per manager Bud Black .

In the event another injury to the rotation occurs, Blalock appears to be the next option.

In the Cactus League, Blalock posted a 1.08 ERA with a 19:6 K/BB ratio in 16 2/3 IP.

Antonio Senzatela starts his first inning with 2 Ks including Mike Trout.

Senzas fastball seemed to be getting by the first few hitters with ease.

Good to see him bouncing back this Spring.

pic.twitter.com/uG3gJgieGc Christian Saez (@DNVRSaez) March 10, 2025 Over six games and four starts, Senzatela posted a 1.21 ERA, 0.896 WHIP, and a 19:4 K/BB ratio over 22 1/3 IP.

He also limited the opposition to just one home run.

Perhaps the most encouraging part of Senzatelas play is his ability to get strikeouts.

If he can get even close to the 7.7 K/9 hes shown this spring, it would be a career-high for the veteran pitcher.

His current career high is 6.9 K/9 in 2018, the Rockies last postseason appearance.

He has finished with 100+ Ks just twice in his career but has always been good at limiting walks.

Both are areas for the Rockies as a whole that need to see significant improvement if they want to be successful this season.

Senzatela relies on forcing ground balls and control over velocity.

An uptick in Ks this spring could unlock a different level in his game.

Outlook For Senzatela This Season Per Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com, Senzatelas 1.21 ERA this spring shatters the franchise record previously held by longtime Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa (1.50).

If it serves as any indication, De La Rosa followed up his excellent 2010 spring training with a solid regular season.

In 121 2/3 IP, De La Rosa posted a 4.22 ERA with a 113:55 K/BB ratio.

If Senzatela comes close to or surpasses those numbers and can give the Rockies 120+ innings, it will be a huge victory for Colorado.

Another solid performance for #Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela in his final start of Spring Training 2025: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K Senzatela breaks Jorge de la Rosas franchise record (1.50 ERA) with his 1.21 ERA in 22.1 IP.

Both are also tops in the Cactus League.

Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) March 22, 2025 While Baseball Reference projects Senzatela will fall well short of 120 innings, it does project a solid season.

He is projected to post a 4.43 ERA with a 55:23 K/BB ratio in 67 innings.

The projection also expects that the strikeout stuff Senzatela showed this spring will continue.

His projected totals are a 7.4 K/9 paired with a solid 3.1 BB/9.

If Senzatela can post those numbers for a full season, it will be a welcome return to a Rockies rotation that has sorely missed one of its regulars the past couple of seasons.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission..

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