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MLB

Michael Lorenzen: One of Last Players Cut by Cincinnati Reds

Hard-throwing righty expects to start in Louisville Bats rotation
By Duwayne Escobedo
April 3, 2015

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Pensacola Blue Wahoos starting pitcher last year, Michael Lorenzen, became the surprise story of the Cincinnati Reds spring training.

Less than two years out of Cal State Fullerton, where he played outfield and threw in relief, the 23-year-old became one of the last players cut by the Reds on Thursday.

Lorenzen and Cuban star Raisel Iglesias were competing for the fifth spot in the rotation until Homer Bailey returns in mid-April, following surgery in September to repair a torn flexor mass in his right forearm.

The hard-throwing Lorenzen made a strong case to fill the role with a 3-0 record and 1.80 ERA in 15 innings pitched, including two starts. For the Wahoos in 2014, he posted a 4-6 record and 3.13 ERA in 24 starts and played in the Southern League All-Star game. He also blasted a grand slam off of Arizona Diamondbacks' top pitching prospect Archie Bradley in July.

Lorenzen said on his Twitter account: "God is good. I'm absolutely grateful for the Reds and the opportunity that has been given to me! Time to do work with the Louisville Bats!"

Besides his pitching, Lorenzen made some other highlight reel plays, such as stabbing a bouncer with his glove behind his back and throwing the batter out at first. He also had a single in two at bats.

Reds Manager Bryan Price lauded Lorenzen all spring.

"Lorenzen, we felt like there was some polish," Price said when announcing the final roster cuts. "We also felt like he's a non-roster guy. To add him to the roster to make a start, then most likely go back to the minor leagues didn't make sense. Plus, having to risk losing a player in order to do that. We did stretch him out in preparation to challenge for that spot. Iglesias is a roster pitcher. It made sense for him to be available, especially in the early season. We'll see how that takes shape when we get Homer back and how that affects our bullpen and our rotation."

It's all been a learning process for Lorenzen.

"Whenever you face big leaguers it's the best of the best so it's always going to be a test," Lorenzen told the media after Tuesday's start against the Milwaukee Brewers. "It made me feel a lot better about myself and where I'm at being able to compete at this level."

The Reds open the regular season at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, April 6. Meanwhile, the Blue Wahoos home opener is Thursday, April 9 against the Biloxi Shuckers.

- Pensacola Blue Wahoos -

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Tickets for the 2015 season still remain and can be purchased by calling the box office at (850) 934-8444 or in person at the Hill-Kelly Dodge Pickup Window. Follow the Blue Wahoos at bluewahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos, and twitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall.