Michael Lorenzen

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Michael Lorenzen
Michael Lorenzen (18141731103) (cropped).jpg
Lorenzen with the Cincinnati Reds in 2015
Los Angeles Angels �� No. 12
Pitcher / Outfielder
Born: (1992-01-04) January 4, 1992 (age 29)
Anaheim, California
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 29, 2015, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Win–loss record23–23
Earned run average4.07
Strikeouts406
Teams

Michael Clifton Lorenzen (born January 4, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher and outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Cincinnati Reds. As a college baseball player, Lorenzen played outfield and pitched 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. After the 2021 season, Lorenzen signed with the Los Angeles Angels.

Education and amateur career[]

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 Two-Way Player of the Year 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[]

Cincinnati Reds[]

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 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 and also mentioned interest in receiving more plate appearances.[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[]

On November 30, 2021, Lorenzen signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels worth $6.75 million.[22]

Personal life[]

Lorenzen is the youngest of four children, all boys, Jonathan, Matthew, and Anthony. Jonathan played professionally and Matthew played college baseball at Cypress and Fullerton Colleges.[1][23]

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."[24] Lorenzen began experimenting with drugs and alcohol in eighth grade, but stopped when he was 17 after a man read him the Gospel.[25][26] He is now a devout Christian.[27][25] He has Galatians 2:20 tattooed on his left arm. [28][29]

Lorenzen and his wife, Cassi, married in 2016.[30]

See also[]

References[]

  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. "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.
  9. ^ "Two top prospects among non-roster additions". Cincinnati Reds. 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. 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. 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. "Minor MLB Transactions: 7/16/21". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  22. ^ https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2021/11/30/los-angeles-angels-sign-longtime-reds-rhp-michael-lorenzen/49461471/
  23. ^ "Katella's Lorenzen Signs with Dodgers". Los Angeles Times. June 9, 2000.
  24. ^ "116 Fan Michael Lorenzen Shares His Testimony from Broken Home to MLB". February 12, 2016.
  25. ^ a b Buchanan, Zach. "In the Name of the Father". The Enquirer.
  26. ^ "Cincinnati Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen says his motivation and purpose is Christ". June 28, 2018.
  27. ^ "Unashamed – Michael Lorenzen – Cincinnati Reds". July 21, 2015.
  28. ^ Clark, Dave. "Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen moves glass of water from forehead to floor without hands". The Enquirer.
  29. ^ "McCoy: Home-run hitting relief pitcher Lorenzen — the Reds' Babe Ruth — gets start in center field".
  30. ^ "Reds pitcher Lorenzen, fiancee tie the knot". November 24, 2016.

External links[]

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