Antonio Senzatela

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #10 prospect in 2017
  Senzatela was limited to seven starts in 2016 because of a recurring right shoulder problem that didn't require surgery but forced him to spend two lengthy stints on the Double-A Hartford disabled list. He showed no ill effects in the offseason, creating the expectation that he will be at full speed in 2017. When he takes the mound he usually wins. Senzatela has gone 41-19 in 88 pro games with a 2.45 ERA and a California League pitcher-of-the-year award in 2015. Everything Senzatela does revolves around a heavy, downhill fastball that sits between 92-95 mph. He can command it to all four quadrants of the strike zone with a tough angle for hitters. He experimented with a curveball and came up with a hybrid slider that has late tilt and grades average. His curveball is serviceable early in counts but altogether is a below-average offering. There remains work to be done on his changeup, though it has shown flashes of being an average weapon. With three average or better offerings at his disposal and above-average control, Senzatela has excelled at every level. With the limited mound time last year, he will get a look in big league camp, but he would have to shake things up to become a factor in the bid for an Opening Day roster spot. A solid year in the upper minors in 2017 would force the issue.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #9 prospect in 2016
  Signed out of Venezuela for $250,000 as a 16-year-old, Senzatela has excelled at every level as a pro. The righthander had a strong full season at low Class A Asheville in 2014, and he improved in nearly every category as a 20-year-old at high Class A Modesto in 2015. He led the California League in ERA (2.51), WHIP (1.06) and opponent average (.229), never allowing more than four earned runs in any of his 26 starts. The Rockies love Senzatela's toughness and fearlessness on the mound. He attacks with a heavy fastball to both sides of the plate, sitting 92-95 mph and touching as high as 98. He generates good downward plane--something the Rockies teach and something for which he has a knack. Senzatela has an ideal pitcher's frame with a thick lower half, which bodes well for his durability. He shelved his lackluster curveball for a slider before 2015, and the pitch helped him increase his strikeout rate, but he's still learning how to command it. His mid-80s slider should develop into at least an average pitch, while his straight, downward-tumbling changeup has a chance to be plus. Senzatela appears bound for Double-A Hartford in 2016. He projects as a No. 4 starter as long as he continues to refine his secondary pitches.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #8 prospect in 2015
  Senzatela signed for $250,000 in 2011 and dominated in the Dominican Summer League in 2012 and half of 2013 before being promoted in the middle of that year to short-season Tri-City. He served as the youngest and best starter in a strong low Class A Asheville rotation in 2014, going 8-1, 1.84 in 13 second-half starts and allowing one homer in 73 innings. Senzatela has a plus fastball that will reach 96 mph and sit around 93 with late life and a good downhill angle. Despite his youth, he has a mature body with little projection, so future velocity gains are unlikely. His fastball is fairly straight but is somewhat sneaky and gets on hitters quickly. Senzatela is able to command the pitch to both sides of the plate. The same with his straight changeup, which is an above-average pitch that works well off his fastball. After showing little feel for a curveball, he began working on a slider in instructional league and threw some good ones in sessions and live batting practice. He has the makings of a good slider, but it's a work in progress and lacks consistency. Senzatela will pitch at high Class A Modesto in 2015. He could be a No. 4 starter in the big leagues.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #24 prospect in 2014
  Senzatela signed for $250,000 in 2011 and began his career in the Dominican Summer League the following season. He made eight dominant starts in the DSL in 2013 to earn an in-season promotion to short-season Tri-City, where he allowed three or fewer earned runs in seven of his eight starts for the Dust Devils. He tops out at 95 mph without looking like he's throwing that hard. He pitches consistently at 92-93 mph with late life and throws downhill. His youth suggests the potential for velocity gains, but Senzatela has a mature body with little projection. He has a curveball that showed some improvement in instructional league, but the pitch still needs work. His splitter has depth and he can throw it for strikes. Senzatela prompts comparisons with Rockies starter Jhoulys Chacin, a fellow Venezuelan, though he lacks the breaking ball and changeup that Chacin had at the same stage. Senzatela throws harder, however, and likely will head to low Class A Asheville in 2014.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked California League #6 prospect in 2015
  Senzatela never allowed more than four earned runs in any of his 26 starts en route to a landslide victory in the Cal League ERA race (2.51). He also topped the league in WHIP (1.06) and opponent average (.229). Senzatela comes right after hitters, attacking with heavy, late-moving fastballs at 92-95 mph, and he tops out at 96. He can throw his slider and changeup for strikes or use the former to get swings and misses. "He attacks," Bakersfield manager Eddie Menchaca said. "He attacks the inside part of the plate with a four-seamer and a two-seamer. If you don't back off, he's going to get you. He's not afraid." Senzatela has a nice pitcher's frame and generates good downhill plane with his delivery, which he repeats easily. He's a fierce competitor on the mound and who shows feel for setting up hitters and holding baserunners.

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Senzatela was limited to seven starts in 2016 because of a recurring right shoulder problem that didn't require surgery but forced him to spend two lengthy stints on Double-A Hartford's disabled list. He showed no ill effects in the offseason, creating the expectation that he will be at full strength in 2017. When he takes the mound he usually wins. Senzatela has gone 41-19 in 88 pro games with a 2.45 ERA and a California League pitcher-of-the-year award in 2015. Scouting Report: Everything Senzatela does revolves around a heavy, downhill fastball that sits between 92-95 mph. He can command it to all four quadrants of the strike zone with a tough angle for hitters. He experimented with a curveball and came up with a hybrid slider that has late tilt and grades average. His curveball is serviceable early in counts but altogether is a below-average offering. There remains work to be done on his changeup, though it has shown flashes of being an average weapon.
  
  The Future: With three average or better offerings at his disposal and above-average control, Senzatela has excelled at every level. He will get a look in big league camp, but he would have to shake things up to become a factor in the bid for an Opening Day roster spot. A solid and healthy year in the upper minors in 2017 would force the issue.