Michael Lorenzen

On September 4, 2019, Lorenzen became the second player in baseball history to hit a homer, earn the win as the pitcher and play in the field in the same game when the Reds defeated the Phillies, 8–5. The other player to achieve the feat was Babe Ruth on June 13, 1921.

Lorenzen was called up to pinch-hit in the seventh inning of a June 30, 2018 game against the Milwaukee Brewers, and hit a grand slam off pitcher Jacob Barnes. It was Lorenzen's third home run of the 2018 season.

During the 2018–2019 offseason, Lorenzen worked extensively as an outfielder and stated he had eagerness and desire for the transition to a two-way player and also mentioned interest in spending more time at the plate.

During spring training in 2016, he was diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and he did not return until mid-June. He pitched out of the bullpen for Cincinnati upon his return, and he finished the year with a 2–1 record and a 2.88 ERA in 35 relief appearances. In 2017, he was 8–4 with a 4.45 ERA in 70 appearances in relief.

Lorenzen made his major league debut on April 29, 2015, pitching five innings against the Milwaukee Brewers. He gave up eight hits, including three home runs, walked one and struck out five, and was credited with the 8–3 loss. He stayed with Cincinnati before being optioned to Louisville on August 14. He was recalled by the Reds on August 31. In 27 games (21 starts) for the Reds, he was 4–9 with a 5.40 ERA, and in six starts for Louisville, he was 4–2 with a 1.88 ERA.

The Reds invited Lorenzen to spring training as a non-roster invitee in 2014. He pitched for Pensacola in 2014, started 24 games, and pitched to a 4–6 win–loss record and a 3.13 ERA in ​120  ⁄3 innings pitched. He tried out for the Reds in spring training in 2015 as a relief pitcher, but was reassigned to the minor leagues before the start of the season. He started the 2015 season with the Louisville Bats. The Reds promoted Lorenzen to the major leagues to start on April 29.

Lorenzen was considered to be among the best prospects eligible for the 2013 Major League Baseball draft, and was ranked as the #52 prospect by Baseball America. He was selected with the 38th pick by the Cincinnati Reds. He signed and made his professional debut with the Arizona League Reds. He also pitched for the Dayton Dragons, Bakersfield Blaze, and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos during the season. In 21 innings pitched between the four clubs, he was 1–1 with a 3.00 ERA.

Lorenzen attended Fullerton Union High School in Fullerton, California, where he played for the school's baseball team. He had a batting average above .400 as a freshman. The Tampa Bay Rays selected Lorenzen in the seventh round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. Lorenzen opted not to sign, and 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 Two-Way Player of the Year Award. Lorenzen has also played on the United States national collegiate baseball team. In 2012, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Michael Clifton Lorenzen (born January 4, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher and outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). As a college baseball player, Lorenzen played outfield and pitched for the Cal State Fullerton Titans. He was selected by the Reds in the first round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft.