Michael Lorenzen Bio
Michael Clifton Lorenzen is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has made a mark in Major League Baseball (MLB) having played for teams like the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, and Kansas City Royals. Originally drafted by the Reds in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft, Lorenzen transitioned from collegiate baseball at California State University, Fullerton, to the major leagues, debuting in 2015. In 2023, he was recognized as an MLB All-Star and notably pitched a no-hitter for the Phillies that same year.
Early Life and Background
Michael Clifton Lorenzen was born on January 4, 1992, in Fullerton, California. He attended Fullerton Union High School in Fullerton, where he played for the school’s baseball team and posted a batting average above .400 as a freshman. Lorenzen has three older brothers: Jonathan, Matthew, and Anthony. Jonathan played two seasons in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, while Matthew played college baseball at Cypress and Fullerton Colleges.
Both of Lorenzen’s parents struggled with drugs and alcohol, and police would show up at his home on most weekends during his childhood. Lorenzen began experimenting with drugs and alcohol in eighth grade, but stopped when he was 17 after a man read him the Gospel. He is now a devout Christian and has Bible verses and references tattooed on both arms. Lorenzen’s father died in August 2016.
Path to Major League Baseball
Lorenzen was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the seventh round of the 2010 MLB draft but chose not to sign. He instead enrolled at California State University, Fullerton, to play baseball for the Titans. In 2012, he was named an All-American and a finalist for the John Olerud Award. That same year, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League.
Lorenzen also played on the United States national collegiate baseball team during his amateur career. He served as both a pitcher and outfielder for the Cal State Fullerton Titans, showing the two-way potential that later defined his professional trajectory.
Michael Lorenzen Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
Lorenzen was selected with the 38th overall pick by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2013 MLB draft and signed with the team. He made his professional debut with the Arizona League Reds and pitched for the Dayton Dragons, Bakersfield Blaze, and Pensacola Blue Wahoos during that first season. The Reds promoted him to the major leagues to start on April 29, 2015, and he made his MLB debut that day against the Milwaukee Brewers, pitching five innings.
In 2016, Lorenzen was diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow during spring training and returned in mid-June. He pitched out of the bullpen for Cincinnati and finished the year with a 2.88 ERA in 35 relief appearances. In 2017, he went 8–4 with a 4.45 ERA in 70 appearances in relief.
Cincinnati Reds Breakthrough (2018–2021)
On June 30, 2018, Lorenzen hit a grand slam off pitcher Jacob Barnes, his third home run of that season. During the 2018–2019 offseason, he worked extensively as an outfielder and expressed eagerness about becoming a two-way player. On September 4, 2019, Lorenzen became the second player in baseball history to hit a home run, earn the win as the pitcher, and play in the field in the same game when the Reds defeated the Phillies 8–5, joining Babe Ruth as the only players to achieve the feat.
In 2020, Lorenzen pitched in 18 games for the Reds, registering a 3–1 record and a 4.28 ERA with 35 strikeouts. On April 14, 2021, he was placed on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder strain and was activated on July 17.
Los Angeles Angels Era (2022)
On November 30, 2021, Lorenzen signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels worth $6.75 million, choosing the team because of his childhood in the Anaheim area. He made his Angels debut on April 11, 2022, against the Miami Marlins, pitching six innings with two hits and one earned run allowed while striking out seven. On May 1, 2022, he made his longest career start against the Chicago White Sox, giving up three runs in 8⅓ innings.
Lorenzen was placed on the injured list in July 2022 due to a right shoulder strain and was later transferred to the 60-day injured list before being activated on September 9. In 18 starts, he finished the season with an 8–6 record, a 4.24 ERA, and 85 strikeouts.
Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies Era (2023)
On December 20, 2022, Lorenzen signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers worth $8.5 million. He started the 2023 season on the injured list with a left groin strain and was activated on April 15 to make his Tigers debut against the San Francisco Giants. Lorenzen represented the Tigers at the 2023 MLB All-Star Game and posted a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts for Detroit.
On August 1, 2023, Lorenzen was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for prospect Hao-Yu Lee. On August 9, in his first home start in Philadelphia, with his mother, wife, and daughter in attendance, Lorenzen threw a no-hitter in a 7–0 win over the Washington Nationals. The no-hitter was the 14th in Phillies franchise history and the first since Cole Hamels in 2015. After the no-hitter, he posted a 5.51 ERA in 11 games for Philadelphia and pitched twice in relief during the playoffs.
Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals Era (2024–2025)
On March 22, 2024, Lorenzen signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Texas Rangers. In 19 games (18 starts) for the Rangers, he had a 5–6 record, 3.81 ERA, and 75 strikeouts across 101⅔ innings pitched. On July 29, 2024, Lorenzen was traded to the Kansas City Royals for Walter Pennington.
In seven games (six starts) for the Royals, he posted a 2–0 record and 1.57 ERA with 22 strikeouts across 28⅔ innings pitched. He took the loss in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. On January 8, 2025, Lorenzen re-signed with the Royals on a one-year, $7 million contract.
Driving Style and Strengths
Lorenzen has built his career on versatility, serving effectively as both a starting pitcher and a reliever throughout his MLB tenure. His experience as a two-way player during his time with the Reds allowed him to contribute as a hitter and outfielder in addition to his work on the mound. He has developed a reputation for reliability in high-pressure situations, particularly during his All-Star campaign with the Tigers in 2023.
Notable Events and Milestones
Lorenzen’s most memorable career moment came on August 9, 2023, when he pitched a no-hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies against the Washington Nationals. Earlier, in 2019, he joined Babe Ruth as the only players in baseball history to hit a home run, earn the win as the pitcher, and play in the field in the same game. He was also named an MLB All-Star in 2023 and is known for wearing customized Vans skate shoes rather than standard baseball cleats, with his no-hit Vans later sent to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Michael Lorenzen Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Lorenzen has three older brothers: Jonathan, Matthew, and Anthony. Jonathan played two seasons in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, while Matthew played college baseball at Cypress and Fullerton Colleges, giving the family a strong baseball background.
Personal Life
Lorenzen married his wife, Cassi, in November 2016. They have a daughter named June, born in 2023. Lorenzen is a devout Christian who credits his faith with helping him overcome personal struggles during his teenage years.
2025 Season Performance
Lorenzen re-signed with the Kansas City Royals on a one-year, $7 million contract in January 2025 after a strong late-season stint with the team following his midseason trade from the Rangers. Before signing, he had considered once again attempting to become a two-way player, in part to circumvent an MLB rule limiting the number of pitchers allowed on an MLB active roster.
During his brief time with the Royals in 2024, Lorenzen posted a stellar 2–0 record and 1.57 ERA across six starts, establishing himself as a key contributor down the stretch. His performance helped Kansas City reach the postseason, though he took the loss in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees.
Entering the 2025 campaign, Lorenzen is expected to provide stability in the Royals rotation and veteran leadership in the clubhouse. With his proven ability to log quality innings and perform in pressure moments, he remains a reliable arm for Kansas City as the team looks to build on its recent playoff appearance.