Cincinnati Reds: Three bold predictions for Michael Lorenzen in 2020

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.