Los Angeles Angels starter Michael Lorenzen returned from a two-month stint on the injured list earlier this month, and has since had to prove why he belongs on the 2023 roster. Wednesday night against the Oakland Athletics was likely his second-to-last chance to make that statement.
He did so in multiple ways. First by putting together another solid performance, and second by making it happen with Logan O’Hoppe, the Angels No. 1 prospect in his MLB debut. Lorenzen tossed 5.0 innings with O’Hoppe, giving up one run — zero earned — on three hits and three walks with eight strikeouts.
It was his best performance since being activated in early September. And in the four starts since, he has an ERA of 3.05 and a WHIP of 1.113 in 20.2 innings. He has been prone to walks — 11 free passes — but has limited hits and runs.
Lorenzen discussed the process of preparing for Wednesday’s game with O’Hoppe, via Jeff Fletcher of The O.C. Register:
“He came prepared today,” Lorenzen said. “I didn’t feel like we were ever out of whack. We were always on the same page. … He never lost composure. I thought that was a huge thing. I think the game stayed slow for him tonight.”
A veteran pitcher in his eighth MLB season — debuting in 2015 — Lorenzen was perhaps the perfect battery partner for O’Hoppe. Most of the Angels other starters are younger and in their first 2-4 seasons in the Majors. It also could possibly help Lorenzen retain a role with the Halos moving forward.
“I hope tonight wasn’t my last one at home in an Angels uni,” Lorenzen said. “I would love to play here for as long as I possibly can, for sure.”
This is not the first time that Lorenzen has openly stated he would like to return to the Angels next season. An impending free agent, it may come down to whether or not the Halos feel they have a need for him in their rotation.
Phil Nevin has stated that he believes Lorenzen can be a starter in MLB. However, if the team makes a splash for a free agent starter or via trade, they may not have room in their six-man rotation.
But Lorenzen serving as O’Hoppe’s first starter may show the confidence they have in the 30-year old former reliever.
O’Hoppe logs first MLB hit
In the first at-bat of his MLB career, O’Hoppe started slow by swinging at back-to-back sliders. However, he settled in and managed to work the count back to even at 2-2. There, he took a middle-cut sinker and lined it back up the middle for a single.
O’Hoppe discussed that hit and his entire MLB debut following the game, mainly focusing on his family’s attendance at Angel Stadium.