Michael Lorenzen

Michael Lorenzen
Lorenzen on a rehab start in 2023
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1992-01-04) January 4, 1992 (age 32)
Anaheim, California, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 29, 2015, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record47–44
Earned run average3.99
Strikeouts699
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Michael Clifton Lorenzen (born January 4, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals.

In college baseball, Lorenzen was a pitcher and outfielder for the Cal State Fullerton Titans. The Reds selected Lorenzen in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut with the Reds in 2015. Lorenzen signed with the Los Angeles Angels for the 2022 season and with the Tigers before the 2023 season. He was named an MLB All-Star in 2023.

The Tigers traded Lorenzen to the Phillies prior to 2023 season trade deadline, where he threw a no-hitter. He signed with the Rangers for the 2024 season.

Education and amateur career

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Lorenzen attended Fullerton Union High School in Fullerton, California, where he played for the school's baseball team. He had a batting average above .400 as a freshman. The Tampa Bay Rays selected Lorenzen in the seventh round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. Lorenzen opted not to sign, and instead enrolled at California State University, Fullerton, to play baseball for the Titans.[1] In 2012, he was named an All-American[2] and a finalist for the John Olerud Award.[3] Lorenzen has also played on the United States national collegiate baseball team.[4] In 2012, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[5]

Professional career

[edit]

Cincinnati Reds

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Lorenzen was considered to be among the best prospects eligible for the 2013 Major League Baseball draft,[6] and was ranked as the #52 prospect by Baseball America.[7] He was selected with the 38th pick by the Cincinnati Reds.[8] He signed and made his professional debut with the Arizona League Reds. He also pitched for the Dayton Dragons, Bakersfield Blaze, and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos during the season. In 21 innings pitched between the four clubs, he was 1–1 with a 3.00 earned run average (ERA).

The Reds invited Lorenzen to spring training as a non-roster invitee in 2014.[9] He pitched for Pensacola in 2014, started 24 games, and pitched to a 4–6 win–loss record and a 3.13 ERA in 120+2⁄3 innings pitched. He tried out for the Reds in spring training in 2015 as a relief pitcher,[10] but was reassigned to the minor leagues before the start of the season.[11] He started the 2015 season with the Louisville Bats. The Reds promoted Lorenzen to the major leagues to start on April 29.[12]

Lorenzen made his major league debut on April 29, 2015, pitching five innings against the Milwaukee Brewers. He gave up eight hits, including three home runs, walked one and struck out five, and was credited with the 8–3 loss.[13] He stayed with Cincinnati before being optioned to Louisville on August 14. He was recalled by the Reds on August 31. In 27 games (21 starts) for the Reds, he was 4–9 with a 5.40 ERA, and in six starts for Louisville, he was 4–2 with a 1.88 ERA.[14]

During spring training in 2016, he was diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow,[15] and he did not return until mid-June. He pitched out of the bullpen for Cincinnati upon his return, and he finished the year with a 2–1 record and a 2.88 ERA in 35 relief appearances. In 2017, he was 8–4 with a 4.45 ERA in 70 appearances in relief.

Lorenzen was called up to pinch-hit in the seventh inning of a June 30, 2018, game against the Milwaukee Brewers, and hit a grand slam off pitcher Jacob Barnes. It was Lorenzen's third home run of the 2018 season.[16]

During the 2018–2019 offseason, Lorenzen worked extensively as an outfielder and stated he had eagerness and desire for the transition to a two-way player.[17] On September 4, 2019, Lorenzen became the second player in baseball history to hit a home run, earn the win as the pitcher, and play in the field in the same game when the Reds defeated the Phillies, 8–5. The other player to achieve the feat was Babe Ruth on June 13, 1921.[18] In 2020 for the Reds, Lorenzen pitched in 18 games, registering a 3–1 record and a 4.28 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 33+2⁄3 innings of work.[19]

On April 14, 2021, Lorenzen was placed on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder strain.[20] On July 17, Lorenzen was activated off of the injured list.[21]

Los Angeles Angels

[edit]

On November 30, 2021, Lorenzen signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels worth $6.75 million.[22] Lorenzen sought to sign with a team that would allow him to start games and picked the Angels out of several offering teams because of his childhood in the Anaheim area.[23] He made his Angels debut on April 11, 2022, starting the game and pitching 6 innings with 2 hits and 1 earned run allowed while striking out 7 against the Miami Marlins.[24] On May 1, 2022, Lorenzen made his longest career start against the Chicago White Sox, giving up 3 runs in 8+1⁄3 innings of work.[25] On July 7, the Angels placed Lorenzen on the 15-day injured list due to a strain in his right shoulder. An MRI found that there was no structural damage from the injury.[26] He was later transferred to the 60-day injured list,[27] and was activated on September 9. In 18 starts, Lorenzen finished the season with an 8–6 record, posting a 4.24 ERA with 85 strikeouts.

Detroit Tigers

[edit]

On December 20, 2022, Lorenzen signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers worth $8.5 million.[28] Lorenzen started the season on the injured list with a left groin strain.[29] He was activated off the injured list on April 15, 2023, to make his Tigers debut starting against the San Francisco Giants.[30] Lorenzen was selected to represent the Tigers at the 2023 MLB All-Star Game.[31] He posted a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts for Detroit.

Philadelphia Phillies

[edit]

On August 1, 2023, Lorenzen was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for prospect Hao-Yu Lee.[32][33] On August 9, in his first home start as a Phillie, with his mother, wife, and daughter in attendance, Lorenzen threw a no-hitter in a 7–0 win over the Washington Nationals. The no-hitter was the 14th in Phillies franchise history, and the first since Cole Hamels in 2015.[34] Lorenzen struggled after the no-hitter, posting a 5.51 ERA in 11 games for Philadelphia. He became a free agent following the season.

Texas Rangers

[edit]

On March 22, 2024, Lorenzen signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Texas Rangers.[35]

Kansas City Royals

[edit]

On July 29, 2024, Lorenzen was traded to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Walter Pennington.[36]

Personal life

[edit]

Lorenzen has three older brothers: Jonathan, Matthew, and Anthony. Jonathan played professionally and Matthew played college baseball at Cypress and Fullerton Colleges.[1][37]

Both of Lorenzen's parents struggled with drugs and alcohol and frequently fought, with Lorenzen stating that police would show up at his house "almost every single weekend."[38] Lorenzen began experimenting with drugs and alcohol in eighth grade, but stopped when he was 17 after a man read him the Gospel.[39][40] He is now a devout Christian.[41][39] He has Galatians 2:20[broken anchor] tattooed on his left arm.[42][43]

Lorenzen's father died in August 2016. In his first game back from the bereavement list on August 19, 2016, he hit his first career home run and dedicated it to his father.[44]

Lorenzen and his wife, Cassi, married in November 2016.[45] They have a daughter, named June, born in 2023.[46]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Lorenzen in a hurry … to succeed". The Orange County Register. April 22, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  2. ^ "Baseball: CSF's Lorenzen keeping the faith". The Orange County Register. February 14, 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  3. ^ Liebeskind, Josh. "Gonzales Finalist For Two-Way POY – Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather". Khq.com. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
  4. ^ Gonzalez, Ricardo (April 26, 2012). "CSUF baseball player joins USA Baseball Team". Dailytitan.com. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  5. ^ "#43 Mike Lorenzen". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  6. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (May 21, 2013). "Outfielders in MLB's First-Year Player Draft have considerable potential | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  7. ^ "Draft Preview Database". BaseballAmerica.com. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
  8. ^ 06/06/13 at 11:02pm by C. Trent Rosecrans   Comments (December 17, 2012). "Reds take RHP/OF Michael Lorenzen at 38 | Cincinnati Reds". Cincinnati.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2013. Retrieved August 17, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "Two top prospects among non-roster additions". Cincinnati Reds. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  10. ^ "Michael Lorenzen could make Reds as reliever". Cincinnati.com. March 10, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  11. ^ "Reds cut Sam LeCure, re-assign Michael Lorenzen". Cincinnati.com. April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  12. ^ Wick Terrell (April 28, 2015). "Michael Lorenzen to debut for Reds Wednesday". Red Reporter. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  13. ^ "Braun hits solo homer, grand slam as Brewers beat Reds 8–3". ESPN. Associated Press. April 29, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  14. ^ "Michael Lorenzen Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  15. ^ Buchanan, Zach (March 15, 2016). "Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen has mild UCL sprain". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  16. ^ "RHP Michael Lorenzen's pinch-hit grand slam leads Reds over Brewers 12–3". ESPN. July 1, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  17. ^ "With an active offseason, Cincinnati Reds players happy to move on from rebuilding stage". Cincinnati.com. January 17, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  18. ^ "Phillies vs. Reds – Game Recap – September 4, 2019 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  19. ^ "Cincinnati Reds review: Grading Michael Lorenzen's 2020 season". Blogredmachine.com. October 4, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  20. ^ Steve Adams (April 14, 2021). "Reds Claim Phillip Diehl, Put Michael Lorenzen on 60-Day Injured List". Mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  21. ^ Anthony Franco (July 16, 2021). "Minor MLB Transactions: 7/16/21". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  22. ^ "Los Angeles Angels sign longtime Reds RHP Michael Lorenzen". USA Today. Associated Press. November 30, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  23. ^ Bollinger, Rhett (March 15, 2022). "Lorenzen eyes starting; Rendon arrives at camp". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  24. ^ Bollinger, Rhett (April 11, 2022). "Lorenzen outmuscles Miami in 7-K Halos debut". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  25. ^ Fletcher, Jeff (May 1, 2022). "Angels avoid disaster by clinging to victory over the White Sox". Orange County Register.
  26. ^ McDonald, Darragh (July 9, 2022). "Angels Place Michael Lorenzen On IL With Shoulder Strain". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  27. ^ Mathisen, Jon. "Michael Lorenzen Transferred To 60-Day Injured List Share". Rotoballer. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  28. ^ "Michael Lorenzen, Tigers finalize $8.5M, 1-year contract". WXYZ 7 Action News Detroit. Associated Press. December 20, 2022.
  29. ^ "Tigers 3B Nevin, RHP Lorenzen to start on IL". ESPN.com. March 26, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  30. ^ "Tigers' Michael Lorenzen: Activated for Saturday start". CBSSports.com. April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  31. ^ "Lorenzen to rep Tigers at '23 All-Star Game". MLB.com.
  32. ^ Axisa, Mike (August 2023). "Michael Lorenzen trade: Phillies acquire All-Star pitcher from Tigers to help rotation during playoff push". CBSSports.com.
  33. ^ Rogers, Jesse (August 1, 2023). "Phillies acquire All-Star starter Michael Lorenzen from Tigers". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  34. ^ "Phillies' Michael Lorenzen tosses no-hitter in victory over Nationals". CBS News. August 9, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  35. ^ Landry, Kennedi. "Lorenzen headed to Texas on 1-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  36. ^ "Royals acquire Michael Lorenzen from Rangers to boost rotation". ESPN.com. July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  37. ^ "Katella's Lorenzen Signs with Dodgers". Los Angeles Times. June 9, 2000.
  38. ^ "116 Fan Michael Lorenzen Shares His Testimony from Broken Home to MLB". February 12, 2016.
  39. ^ a b Buchanan, Zach. "In the Name of the Father". The Enquirer.
  40. ^ "Cincinnati Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen says his motivation and purpose is Christ". June 28, 2018.
  41. ^ "Unashamed – Michael Lorenzen – Cincinnati Reds". July 21, 2015.
  42. ^ Clark, Dave. "Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen moves glass of water from forehead to floor without hands". The Enquirer.
  43. ^ "McCoy: Home-run hitting relief pitcher Lorenzen — the Reds' Babe Ruth — gets start in center field".
  44. ^ "Emotional Lorenzen honors late father with 1st MLB HR". August 19, 2016.
  45. ^ "Reds pitcher Lorenzen, fiancee tie the knot". November 24, 2016.
  46. ^ Randhawa, Manny. "'One more pitch': Lorenzen's family hangs on every moment of no-no". MLB.com. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Michael Lorenzen.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by No-hitter pitcher
August 9, 2023 		Succeeded by
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