Michael Lorenzen

Michael Lorenzen

32-Year-Old PitcherSP
 Free Agent  
Free Agent
2024 Fantasy Outlook
The right-hander signed with Detroit for 2023 and pitched to a 3.58 ERA and 19.9 percent strikeout rate over 105.2 innings before being shipped to Philadelphia. Lorenzen was electric in his first two starts for the Phillies and threw a no-hitter, but he had a 9.23 ERA in his next six outings and finished the campaign out of the rotation. His overall 4.18 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 153 innings for the season is solid, but the late collapse is difficult to ignore, especially since a 4.55 xERA and 4.68 xFIP indicate he may have deserved some worse results. Lorenzen remains a solid back-end starter and should be able to grab a rotation spot somewhere in 2024, but his low strikeout numbers leave limited upside for fantasy managers. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Rest of Season
From Preseason
#540
ADP
$Signed a one-year, $5.8 million contract with the Rangers in March of 2024. Traded to the Royals in July of 2024. Contract includes $350,000 in incentives for 140 innings pitched, $400,000 for 160 innings and $450,000 for 180 innings.
Makes return over weekend
PKansas City Royals  
October 2, 2024
Lorenzen (lower body) struck out three and allowed an unearned run on one hit in two innings out of the bullpen in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Atlanta.
ANALYSIS
Lorenzen made his final start of the regular season last Wednesday, when he tossed two-plus innings against the Nationals before leaving early due to lower-body fatigue. He made his return to action out of the bullpen a few days later, with the clean appearance assuaging any concerns about his health. He was included on the Royals' 26-man wild-card roster but went unused during the club's two-game sweep of the Orioles.
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Pitching Stats
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2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2024 MLB Game Log
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2023 MLB Game Log
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Pitching Appearances Breakdown
Average Pitch Count
76
Last 10 Games
53
Last 5 Games
26
How many pitches does Michael Lorenzen generally throw?
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
What part of the game does Michael Lorenzen generally pitch?
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
% Games Reaching Innings Threshold
% Games By Number of Innings Pitched
Left/Right Pitching Splits
Since 2022
 
 
-22%
BAA vs LHP
2024
 
 
-45%
BAA vs LHP
2023
 
 
-21%
BAA vs LHP
2022
 
 
-7%
BAA vs RHP
BAA Batters K BB H 2B 3B HR
Since 2022vs Left .200 791 160 92 138 30 1 24
Since 2022vs Right .257 780 133 59 182 34 1 24
2024vs Left .150 251 51 33 32 6 0 6
2024vs Right .272 285 46 27 69 14 1 11
2023vs Left .218 353 70 32 69 14 1 12
2023vs Right .275 271 41 15 69 12 0 8
2022vs Left .233 187 39 27 37 10 0 6
2022vs Right .217 224 46 17 44 8 0 5
More Splits View More Split Stats
Home/Away Pitching Splits
Since 2022
 
 
-26%
ERA at Home
2024
 
 
-15%
ERA at Home
2023
 
 
-20%
ERA at Home
2022
 
 
-51%
ERA at Home
ERA WHIP IP W L SV K/9 BB/9 HR/9
Since 2022Home 3.30 1.20 185.2 14 8 1 7.3 3.3 1.3
Since 2022Away 4.47 1.27 195.1 10 13 0 6.6 3.8 1.0
2024Home 3.00 1.20 51.0 2 2 0 6.5 3.9 1.4
2024Away 3.52 1.26 79.1 5 4 0 6.8 4.3 1.0
2023Home 3.77 1.23 86.0 6 4 1 6.9 2.8 1.4
2023Away 4.70 1.18 67.0 3 5 0 6.0 2.7 0.9
2022Home 2.77 1.13 48.2 6 2 0 8.7 3.7 0.9
2022Away 5.69 1.43 49.0 2 4 0 7.0 4.4 1.1
More Splits View More Split Stats
Stat Review
How does Michael Lorenzen compare to other starting pitchers?
This section compares his stats with all starting pitcher seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 120 innings)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.

* Exit Velocity, Barrels/BBE %, Balls Hit 95+ MPH %, and Spin Rate are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 120 IP). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
  • K/BB
    Strikeout to walk ratio.
  • K/9
    Average strikeouts per nine innings.
  • BB/9
    Average walks per nine innings.
  • HR/9
    Average home runs allowed per nine innings.
  • Fastball
    Average fastball velocity.
  • ERA
    Earned run average. The average earned runs allowed per nine innings.
  • WHIP
    Walks plus hits per inning pitched.
  • BABIP
    Batting average on balls in play. Measures how many balls in play against a pitcher go for hits.
  • GB/FB
    Groundball to flyball ratio. The higher the number, the more likely a pitcher is to induce groundballs.
  • Left On Base
    The percentage of base runners that a pitcher strands on base over the course of a season.
  • Exit Velocity
    The speed of the baseball as it comes off the bat, immediately after a batter makes contact.
  • Barrels/BBE
    The percentage of batted ball events resulting in a Barrel. A Barrel is a batted ball with similar exit velocity and launch angle to past ones that led to a minimum .500 batting average and 1.500 slugging percentage.
  • Spin Rate
    Spin Rate is the rate of spin on a baseball after it is released. It is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm).
  • Balls Hit 95+ MPH
    The percentage of batted balls hit that met or exceeded the 95 MPH threshold.
  • Swinging Strike
    The percentage of pitches that result in a swing and a miss.
K/BB
1.62
 
K/9
6.7
 
BB/9
4.1
 
HR/9
1.2
 
Fastball
93.8 mph
 
ERA
3.31
 
WHIP
1.24
 
BABIP
.237
 
GB/FB
1.20
 
Left On Base
81.6%
 
Exit Velocity
82.7 mph
 
Barrels/BBE
5.0%
 
Spin Rate
2355 rpm
 
Balls Hit 95+ MPH
24.9%
 
Swinging Strike
9.4%
 
Advanced Pitching Stats
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Defensive Stats
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Stats Vs Today's Lineup
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
Lorenzen broke camp in the Angels' rotation last year after spending seven seasons as primarily a reliever and a two-way curiosity. That led to a fair amount of interest in how he'd look in the new role, but the results were rather bland. Unsurprisingly, his durability concerns didn't suddenly dissipate when moving to a starting role, with a shoulder injury costing him over two months. In 18 starts, he managed a forgettable 4.24 ERA, a mark that looks quite fair given his 4.31 FIP. His 20.7 K% and 10.7 BB% were both on the wrong side of league average, something his above-average 50.2% groundball rate couldn't entirely make up for. The whole package adds up to a capable back-end starter but nothing more. The Tigers evidently like him in that role, signing him to a one-year deal in December. The move brings him to a pitcher-friendly park in a weak division, which could increase the number of starts in which he's a worthy streamer, but he shouldn't be much more than that.
Lorenzen's outlook has been particularly tricky over the past couple years, as he's been talked up as a potential starter, closer and part-time outfielder during his time with the Reds. Finally a free agent this offseason, he signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Angels and is now expected to work out of the rotation. He came up as a starter in 2015 with 21 starts and a 5.40 ERA, but he found success out of the bullpen over the past five years with a 3.65 ERA. Lorenzen struggled last season with a 16.8 percent strikeout rate and 11.2 percent walk rate that led to a 5.59 ERA, but his 4.17 FIP leaves significant room for improvement. Departing the hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park will also help his outlook. Lorenzen remains somewhat of a question mark given his transition back to the rotation after five years, but his career 19.9 percent strikeout rate doesn't seem likely to significantly improve while working as a starter, which could limit his upside.
Lorenzen is a riddle wrapped up in an enigma. Is he a potential closer? Is he a part-time outfielder? Is he a starting pitcher? He's currently projected to have a chance to win a spot in the starting rotation this spring after closing out the 2020 regular season as a starter, and that's his stated desire. Lorenzen did well in a cameo version last season, but previous iterations as a starter didn't fare well. With a full offseason and spring training to stretch out, he should be able to handle the workload, and it's fair to suggest that he's a different pitcher now than when he first arrived in the majors. He posted a swinging strike rate north of 14% for the second season in a row, whereas before he had trouble finishing off hitters. With those K's also come more walks unfortunately, as he walked 12.0% of the hitters he faced in 2020. He's best drafted as an endgame player or streamer.
Lorenzen has earned a lot of acclaim for his ability as a two-way player, but that doesn't do justice to how much he improved as a pitcher in 2019. The fifth year player turned in his best season under the tutelage of pitching coach Derek Johnson (a common refrain). He added velocity, and saw his K% rate spike from 15.7 to 24.8, while lowering his BB% from 9.9 to 8.2. Barring a big offseason acquisition for the bullpen, Lorenzen is the best in-house alternative if the Reds decide to move away from Raisel Iglesias as the closer, and was successful when used in the role, converting seven save chances. As they continue to improve their offense, they might use Lorenzen less as a hitter, however. As he had more at-bats, he became less effective, turning in a good-for-a-pitcher line of .208/.283/.313 in 53 plate appearances, although he trailed only Aaron Judge in average exit velocity (95.7 mph).
The first thing everyone mentions with Lorenzen is his hitting, and we'll follow suit. The right-hander was a two-way player in college and clearly has retained some of those hitting skills, posting a .290/.333/.710 line with four homers in 34 at-bats. He's the rare pitcher who is used as a pinch hitter not only in extra-inning affairs, but also as a primary option. But his primary position is as a pitcher, and unfortunately in that department the Reds still aren't quite sure what they have on their hands. He was out for nearly two months with a shoulder injury, and after returning he was really wild, turning in walk rates over 10% each month until September. He made three starts in late September, with decent but not great results (four earned runs over 13.2 innings with a 5:5 K:BB). Lorenzen is hoping to impress new manager David Bell and earn a rotation spot in spring training.
Lorenzen was the reliever that Reds manager Bryan Price trusted the most to get games to closer Raisel Iglesias, though that didn't always manifest itself in a traditional setup role. That was especially true early in the season when the Reds were off to a good start, and the games were critical enough to identify key situations early in the game -- notably once in the third inning against the Pirates. The Reds initially envisioned multiple relievers sharing in the save chances, but instead Iglesias colllected 28 of their 33 saves, with Lorenzen getting just two. He faltered badly in the second half, posting a 6.32 ERA after the All-Star break. Pitching as a starter no longer seems to be in the offing for Lorenzen, despite some musings midseason last year, so expect more of the same from him in 2018.
Rebuilding clubs often need to push prospects into big league situations sooner than they otherwise would. Lorenzen, who struggled in the majors in 2015 and missed the first two and a half months of 2016, definitely fell into that category. The Reds needed any help they could get and so the 24-year-old was sent to the majors as soon as his elbow healed up. After two years experimenting as a starter, Lorenzen was moved back to the bullpen and looked much sharper in the role. His average fastball velocity moved up to 96.2 mph, he struck out 48 batters in 50 innings and he cut his ERA nearly in half from the year before. The Reds have decided not to mess with success -- they will keep Lorenzen in the bullpen in 2017. He may see some high-leverage relief work, but Drew Storen and Raisel Iglesias will be the top candidates for save opportunities.
Most pitching prospects need to spend significant chunks of time at each minor league stop on the prospect ladder in order to be fully ready to contribute at the big league level. This is especially important if the prospect in question isn't that polished to begin with. All of this applies to Lorenzen, who was thrown into the Reds' rotation in late April, but appears to have not been ready for the task. Lorenzen played the outfield and pitched relief in college before the Reds converted him to starting. While Lorenzen had a 1.88 ERA in six Triple-A starts, his strikeout ratio was a microscopic 4.0 K/9, a harbinger for his struggles against major league hitters. Lorenzen could benefit from spending a half-season in Louisville in 2016, but it's uncertain whether he'll get it given the lack of veteran starting pitchers in the organization.
Lorenzen doesn't fit the mold of most prospects. Many organizations were interested in the Cal-State Fullerton attendee as an outfielder, but the Reds drafted him in the supplemental first round in 2013 as a relief pitcher, then converted him into a starter beginning at the Arizona Fall League. He got pounded there, but that frequently happens in a high-offense environment against many advanced hitting prospects, especially with pitchers with less experience like Lorenzen. The Reds quickly got him out of High-A Bakersfield, instead allowing him to develop at a higher level in Double-A Pensacola, albeit at a much friendlier ballpark for pitchers. He blossomed there, posting a 3.13 ERA over 120.2 innings while allowing just nine homers all season. The one question is whether Lorenzen can convert his stuff (94 mph fastball, good slider) into a better strikeout rate as he becomes more experienced. Thus, the Reds aren't likely to promote Lorenzen aggressively to the majors in order to get him to learn how to employ his range of pitches better.
More Fantasy News
Removal deemed precautionary
PKansas City Royals  
Lower Body
September 25, 2024
Lorenzen left his start against Washington on Wednesday as a precaution due to lower-body fatigue.
ANALYSIS
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Exits with trainer
PKansas City Royals  
Undisclosed
September 25, 2024
Lorenzen was removed from Wednesday's game against the Nationals due to an apparent injury, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Activated ahead of start
PKansas City Royals  
September 25, 2024
The Royals activated Lorenzen (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
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Making return Wednesday
PKansas City Royals  
Hamstring
September 24, 2024
Lorenzen (hamstring) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday against the Nationals, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Gets to fourth inning in rehab start
PKansas City Royals  
Hamstring
September 16, 2024
Lorenzen (hamstring) struck out four and allowed one earned run on two hits and two walks over 3.1 innings in his rehab start Friday with Triple-A Omaha.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Kansas City showing interest
PTexas Rangers  
July 29, 2024
The Royals are among the many clubs interested in Lorenzen, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
ANALYSIS
The Rangers are expected to be buyers rather than sellers at the trade deadline, but with rotation reinforcements on the way they are dangling Lorenzen in trade talks. The 32-year-old has posted a 3.81 ERA over 101.2 innings with Texas this season, although that has come with an uninspiring 75:48 K:BB.
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