DENVER – According to rWAR Kyle Freeland leads the Colorado Rockies in wins above replacement at 1.5, just behind him is Antonio Senzatela with an rWAR of 1.4. Two rookies, each have made just six starts, and according to the most universally accepted indicator of player value, they’re the best players on an 18-11 ball club.
Not only have Freeland and Senzatela been good for this year’s team, they’ve been historically good. Through the first six starts of a career by Rockies pitchers, the lowest ERA ever is Freeland’s at 2.65 Senzatela places second at 2.84, topping the previous mark which was set by Tyler Anderson last year at 3.03.
It’s not as though Freeland and Senzatela haven’t been challenged either. They’ve arguably started some of the club’s biggest games, keeping their road series winning streak alive on the rubber day, the home opener, low scoring ballgames and more. They’ve also worked out of some of the team’s toughest situations. A perfect example of this was Thursday in San Deigo when Freeland battled himself yet still only gave up one earned run working into the seventh inning in a game that the Rockies would eventually take in extras.
Neither guy was touted to the level of a Jon Gray or Jeff Hoffman but each has the mentality of a big leaguer.
“I don’t think anyone is a rookie here,” Gerardo Parra explained. “Everyone is a pro, we don’t care if you’ve had one or two days in the league. Right now they (Freeland and Senzatela) are playing like they’ve been here for 10 years. They’re pitching hard and staying focused, it’s amazing that we have people that play like that on this team.”
It’s not only the nine-year veteran that has noticed their mentality as being key to their success.
“I’m seeing pretty much the same thing everyone else is seeing,” another nine-year veteran in Ian Desmond said. “High level of composure. They have a lot of belief in what they do. They’re both working quick in the zone. They’re doing a great job.”
Charlie Blackmon even mentioned it to BSN Denver off hand that the way the two have carried themselves is refreshing.
“We saw it in spring training,” manager Bud Black continued the thought. “The focus and commitment to getting better and handling themselves as rookies. Even though they’re young, they’re acting as though they’ve been here which is a great thing, They’re acting like big leaguers. They’re exhibiting poise and confidence which is great.”
The Rockies are 10-2 in the games that the two have started. In a staff full of rookies and other youngsters, the two have clearly been a cut above the rest.
“They’ve done a really nice job,” Black said. “I think they’ve gotten some great leadership from our pitching coaches and some of our veteran players. They’ve taken them under their wing and that’s been good to see.”
There are some concerning signs with each, mainly, neither has struck out that many, each is hanging around nine strikeouts per inning. Freeland has struggled with command at times as well, walking four and three batters in one game once a piece this season. For Senzatela it’s that he almost exclusively throws a fastball, using it 77 percent of the time. It’s unclear if Principito can keep getting away with that while he develops a slider and changeup.
While there are signs that each could come crashing down, their mental state is perhaps more telling. And for Black and the Rockies veterans that’s what has stuck with them.
“They’re listening,” Black said. “They’re gathering information, being sponges to what’s put in front of them from a learning aspect. I’ve been impressed by that. I saw it at spring training and things do change from spring to the season but those guys have kept the same disposition the same poise. I’m sure they’re excited to be in the big leagues, they’re pumped, but they’re going about it the way you’d hope young guys would go about it. I’ll throw Marquez in that mix, too, with Antonio and Kyle”
The Rockies are 0-2 when German Marquez pitches but his last outing saw him go six scoreless, he’ll look to continue that tonight and get his first win of 2017 on Friday night in the series opener against Arizona.
