Michael Lorenzen Eyes Two-Way Role: Aiming to be the Next Shohei Ohtani?

Free-agent pitcher Michael Lorenzen is aiming high as he seeks a unique role in Major League Baseball. According to The Athletic, Lorenzen's agent, Ryan Hamill, is pitching teams on the idea of Lorenzen contributing as both a hitter and pitcher—a nod to the remarkable versatility of Shohei Ohtani.

Lorenzen’s dual aspirations are not just about playing both roles, but also about leveraging MLB roster regulations to his advantage. MLB rules state that a player fulfilling duties as both a pitcher and a position player must pitch at least 20 innings and appear in at least 20 games as a position player or designated hitter, logging a minimum of three plate appearances in each game. Meeting these criteria exempts the player from counting as one of the team's permitted 13 pitchers.

The strategy Hamill is discussing with teams involves signing Lorenzen, getting him the necessary plate appearances and innings to qualify for two-way status, and then flipping him to a contender at the trade deadline. This would essentially allow a contending team to carry an additional arm without sacrificing a pitching roster spot. 

Lorenzen, who turns 33 in January, has showcased his versatility by starting and relieving as a pitcher. However, he hasn't batted since 2021. Over his career, Lorenzen has amassed a .233/.282/.429 slash line with seven home runs in 147 plate appearances, demonstrating his potential as a hitter.

The prospect of Lorenzen filling a dual role is intriguing, especially for non-contending teams that could use his talents to gain a valuable trade asset midseason. While he may not reach the same level as Ohtani, Lorenzen's ability to contribute in multiple capacities makes him an interesting option for teams looking to maximize roster flexibility.