Opportunities

Spring training got cranked up with the first game against the Arizona Diamondbacks and several ex-Tourists are getting the early opportunity to state their case for making the opening day roster. Ramiel Tapia, who played at high A Modesto last season, had the best performance of the ex-Tourists getting two hits and scoring a run. Will Swanner got some time in at first base and also banged out a hit.

Former Tourist hurler Tyler Matzek had a rough first outing as he faced five Diamondbacks hitters and didn't retire any of them. He gave up three hits and walked two before he was lifted. Tyler Anderson fared a little better as he went two innings and gave up four hits and three runs. He struck out three. Matt Carasiti pitched one inning gave up a hit and struck out one and Carlos Estevez struck out the side in his one inning pitched.

Former Tourists Scheduled To Pitch

Two former Asheville Tourists, Antonio Senzatela and Carlos Estevez, are acheduled to pitch in the Colorado Rockies intrasquad scrimmage on March 1. Antonio Senzatela spent 2014 with the Asheville Tourists going 15-2 with a 3.12 ERA in 26 starts. Senzatela is the Rockies #13 ranked prospect according to MLB.com. Relief pitcher Carlos Estevez also spent 2014 with the Tourists appearing in 33 games, going 1-3 with a 4.72 ERA.

Two left handed starting pitchers and candidates for the Rockies starting rotation, Tyler Matzek and Tyler Anderson, are scheduled to appear in the Rockies Cactus League Opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Matzek pitched for the Tourists in 2010 and 2011 going 10-5 in 30 starts over the two seasons. He has started 24 games for the Rockies over the past two seasons with an 8-12 record and a 4.06 ERA. Anderson pitched for the Tourists in 2012 and had a 12-3 record with a 2.47 ERA in 20 stars. He missed all of 2015 due to an elbow injury.