Two Way Players Clash Michael Lorenzen and Shohei Ohtani Meet On The Field

 

A pair of players who have bucked the baseball tradition that makes pitchers specialists, met in the Reds' 7-3 win in Tempe, Arizona.

Michael Lorenzen, who starred in center field in his college days at Cal State - Fullerton, pitched against Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels with the understanding that he would be allowed to hit as well as pitch.  In Japan he excelled at both.

With Lorenzen trying to transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation, it would give him more of a chance to hit in games he pitches and even play outfield in between starts.  That is his desire.

"I haven't been in David's office every five minutes this spring, asking him to hit in games more," Lorenzen admitted.  "I've been concentrating on getting stretched out to start."

To that end, Lorenzen had a good start with "a firm" fastball.  "I have been trying to let my pitches develop naturally, not trying to force them to be ready.  I'm making good progress."

Ohtani had something to say about Lorenzen' s progress.  He hit home runs in his first two at b ats off Lorenzen.

"The first was just a normal fly ball that got into the wind," Lorenzen said.  "But the second one made up for it.  I think he hit it 600 feet.  I looked at Tucker (Barnhart) after the first one and we just kind of laughed a little.  I looked at DJ (pitching coach Darryl Johnson).  He just waived.  The second one was on a curveball. I was trying to get ahead with it.  I thought he would take it but he decided to hit it 600 feet."

Still the outing was good for Lorenzen and his goal to make the starting rotation for the first time since his rookie year in 2015, although he did make three starts in replacement roles in 2018.  At the end of last season the 29-year old had two good starts down the stretch to help the Reds make the playoffs.

"I think I made my case last year," Lorenzen said.

The Reds agree.

"He was pretty good today.  Outside of those two home runs, one would have been a fly ball on another day," Bell said.  "We couldn't find a radar reading but his fastball looked to be there.'

Always a competitor, Lorenzen wasn't too bummed by Ohtani's blasts.

"I never want to give up home runs but I hope Ohtani keeps doing what he's doing.  He is probably my favorite player for taking advantage of the Angels promise to use him as a hitter too.  Next time I hope to do better against him.  We don't play them this year so it would have to be the World Series," Lorenzen said.