Cincinnati Reds: Michael Lorenzen getting start in center

Michael Lorenzen has taken another step to becoming a two way player, as the Cincinnati Reds reliever is getting a start in center on Saturday night.

In theory, the Cincinnati Reds were planning on deploying reliever Michael Lorenzen as a two way player this season. He had gotten some experience in center field during Spring Training, with the idea that he would be able to help the rebuilt Reds lineup with his bat. However, Lorenzen had seen just 39.2 innings in the outfield heading into Saturday, while accumulating only 27 plate appearances.

That lack of usage in the outfield may be ready to change. With the Reds essentially playing out the string for 2019, Lorenzen may begin to get more of a look in the outfield. This may be beginning on Saturday, with Lorenzen getting his second career start in center.

Given that he has only 39.2 innings of action in the outfield, he has not had many chances. Yet, he has handled each ball hit his way flawlessly, recording nine putouts while playing all three outfield positions. Meanwhile, Lorenzen has continued to be impressive in his limited opportunities at the plate, with a .292/.370/.500 batting line, including two doubles and a homer with three steals, over his 27 plate appearances.

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Obviously, Lorenzen is most valuable to the Reds as a reliever, at least for now. he has become one of their more trusted arms out of the bullpen, posting a 3.12 ERA and a 1.205 WHiP, striking out 79 batters with just 28 walks over his 78 innings. He even notched six saves, getting some time as the Reds closer while Raisel Iglesias struggled.

That stature in the Reds bullpen makes it difficult to use Lorenzen as a true two way option. Unlike the Los Angeles Angels and Shohei Ohtani, they do not have the ability to place Lorenzen in a designated hitter role and let him hit. He has to play a position, opening him up to a greater chance for injury.

However, it is time for the Reds to see what they have with Lorenzen. With expanded rosters, he can play in the outfield, and still be used in a relief situation should the need arise. The Reds have enough players on the bench where they can bring in an outfielder for an inning or two, and then put Lorenzen back in the outfield. If the Reds are going to commit to this two way experiment, they need to see if it will work.

With two weeks left in the season, the Cincinnati Reds have nothing to lose by giving Michael Lorenzen more chances in the outfield. Perhaps his start in center on Saturday is the beginning of his true conversion to a two way player.