Cincinnati Reds: Three bold predictions for Michael Lorenzen in 2020

Michael Lorenzen is not just a pitcher, he’s a ball player. What can we expect from the Cincinnati Reds jack-of-all-trades heading into 2020?

One of the most interesting players on the Cincinnati Reds is Michael Lorenzen. I hesitate to write the word pitcher next to Lorenzen’s name, as we saw him play the outfield, run the bases, hit a walk-off single and record 85 strikeouts last season. Entering spring camp, Lorenzen said he’s looking to add velocity to his fastball. What else can we expect from Mikey Biceps in 2020?

Now, I’m aware that some fans don’t like the idea of Lorenzen pitching and playing the field. While I understand that perspective, it appears obvious that Michael Lorenzen and David Bell do not share those sentiments. Everyone should expect to see Lorenzen fill multiple roles for the Reds this coming season.

In 2019, Lorenzen appeared in 100 games, 73 of which he took the mound. Lorenzen started six games in the outfield and made 53 plate appearances. The right-hander fell just short of his career-best in terms of ERA (2.92) and WHIP (1.152), though he did pitch in more than twice the number of games than he did in 2016, the year in which he set those career-highs.

Lorenzen is in excellent physical condition. There might not be a pitcher who’s in better shape than Lorenzen, and he rivals some of the best well-conditioned position players as well. Michael Lorenzen is always looking to better himself and set a goal this offseason to hit 103-MPH on the radar gun. That’s a bold prediction. What else might we see from Lorenzen in 2020?

1. Michael Lorenzen goes to his first All-Star Game

Every July, the best players in the game gather together for the Midsummer Classic. This year, the Los Angeles Dodgers will host the 2020 MLB All-Star Game on July 14th. Look for Lorenzen to make an appearance in Chavez Ravine.

Last season, two of the Cincinnati Reds starting pitchers appeared on the National League’s roster. Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo represented the Queen City in the 90th All-Star Game, with Gray making his second career appearance, while La Piedra got the invite for the first time. With an increased role on this 2020 Reds team, Lorenzen will have opportunities to impress the voters.

It’s unusual to see any relief pitchers make the All-Star squad outside of traditional closers, but Lorenzen’s role as a multi-faceted player heading into 2020 could be enough to get the attention of fans, players and managers.

Lorenzen led the bullpen in ERA, ERA+ and innings pitched in 2019. I’d expect to see Lorenzen used early and often by Reds skipper David Bell this season. No one on the pitching staff puts together a better offseason regimen than Lorenzen, so look for the 28-year-old to be in pique physical condition when the season kicks off.

The All-Star Game is a reward for the players, but it’s also about the fan experience. Few players in Major League Baseball outside of Shohei Ohtani are going to gather the kind of intrigue that Lorenzen is likely to see in 2020. If Michael Lorenzen takes the field more than a dozen times before the voting closes, he’ll get considerable recognition for a spot on the NL squad.

3. Michael Lorenzen starts 16 games in the outfield

There’s a new rule instituted by Major League Baseball in 2020. No, it’s not the three batter minimum, but rather a rule aimed at two-way players. According to MLB.com, the change is seemingly designed to curb the use of position players as pitchers, which has become quite common in recent years.

By rule, in order to be classified as a two-way player, a player must pitch in at least 20 innings, at least 20 games as a position player or designated hitter in either the current or previous MLB season. That means that a two-way player is a position player who’s allowed to pitch.

Currently, Lorenzen more than qualifies for the designation on the pitching-side go things, but he falls short when it comes to taking the field as a position player. Lorenzen started six games in the outfield last season, meaning he’ll have to start at least 14 games this season as an outfielder or a DH.

Six of the first 21 games Cincinnati plays in 2020 will be on the road against American League opponents. The Reds play the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees before the end of April. This would give David Bell the chance to put Lorenzen in the lineup, while still using a slugger like Nick Castellanos or Jesse Winker as the team’s designated hitter.

The Reds also go on the road to Cleveland before the end of May and play two games at Fenway Park against the Red Sox in August. This would give Cincinnati 10 opportunities to get Lorenzen into the starting lineup without a dramatic drop-off in offensive production. I’d expect to see Bell find a few other opportunities for Lorenzen throughout the 2020 season as well.

Why is this important? Well, it would give the Reds an advantage in that Lorenzen could occupy the spot of a position player on the roster rather than a pitcher. Teams are only allowed to carry 13 pitchers, but if Lorenzen was designated as a two-way player, Cincinnati could add another hurler to the roster and still use Lorenzen out of the pen in 2020 and 2021.