The Cincinnati Reds just announced that they will be calling up right handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen to make his Major League debut tomorrow afternoon against the Milwaukee Brewers. The right hander has made a quick climb through the system. On April 29th, 2013 he was an outfielder for Cal State Fullerton who also happened to moonlight as a reliever. Tomorrow he will make his debut as a Major League starting pitcher.
Lorenzen has posted a 2.84 ERA for the Louisville Bats over his first three starts of the 2015 season. His first two starts were strong, but he did struggle in his most recent start. Overall though he’s been strong through the three appearances that have spanned 19.0 innings. He’s walked just four batters and he’s had 12 strikeouts.
The numbers are good, but what can we expect from him as far as his stuff goes? Let’s take a quick look at a scouting report.
Fastball | In 2015 the right hander has been sitting in the 93-94 range and has touched 97 as a starter while routinely hitting 95-96.
Slider | The second best pitch that Lorenzen offers, it’s an above-average offering that he throws in the mid 80’s. The pitch has shorter breaking action that’s of the 12-6 variety.
Curveball | His second breaking ball isn’t one he began using as a starter until later in 2014, but it’s made quick progress and is an average offering that he has shown confidence in. It’s got a bit of a bigger breaking action than the slider, but also has that 12-6 action and comes in a little bit slower.
Change Up | The fourth pitch he offers is an average-ish offering that works in the mid-to-upper 80’s (all depending on just where his fastball is sitting that day). It features some armside running action.
Other | Groundballs have been a big part of his game since signing. The right hander has generated grounders on 55% of the balls put in play against him since signing, which is well above-average when compared to the average rate in the Majors (47%). Lorenzen pounds the bottom of the strikezone with his pitches and he’s only allowed 13 home runs in 160.2 minor league innings. If he’s on his game, expect plenty of balls put on the ground. Not something that is usually written about with pitchers, but Lorenzen is a good hitter. He’s only had 38 plate appearances in the minor leagues, but he’s had three doubles and a home run in that time. More teams preferred him as a position player heading into the 2013 draft and while he only had 1 plate appearance the year he was drafted, he was able to hit in 2014 and 2015, so he’s not out of practice given how quickly he’s moved up the ladder.
Video from August 2014 with Pensacola