Michael Lorenzen, who recently turned 34, officially signed with the Colorado Rockies, bringing with him an impressive collection of pitches that could challenge hitters at Coors Field this coming season. The contract, finalized last Thursday, guarantees Lorenzen $8 million for the next year, with a club option worth $9 million for 2027. Lorenzen boasts eight distinct pitches, including three fastballs, two types of changeups, a slider, a sweeper, and a curveball—an arsenal that may redefine his approach at Colorado‘s mile-high ballpark.
Evaluating Lorenzen’s Diverse Pitch Mix and Its Potential Impact at Altitude
While Baseball Savant has credited Lorenzen with seven different pitches, and Paul DePodesta, the Rockies’ president of baseball operations, identifies six, Lorenzen himself insists his repertoire is larger and growing. He stated,
“It’s big, and you can actually add another one on there that I will bring out this year,”
signaling the addition of a new pitch. Doubts naturally arise about how his diverse delivery will perform in the hitter-friendly environment of Coors Field, notorious for neutralizing many pitchers’ strengths. Lorenzen remains confident, explaining in a Zoom session,
“I feel like I own the shapes (of my pitches) … I just know what I’m trying to do, I know what the feel is I’m looking for and the shape I’m trying to create.”
He acknowledged the challenges presented by Colorado’s environment and plans to acclimate soon:
“But, obviously, being in Colorado is going to have its challenges, so I’ll be making my way up there soon to throw a few bullpens and just see exactly how these shapes are going to move. That will give me an idea of how I can use each (pitch). Do I pick three of them? Do I lean on certain pitches more than others when I’m pitching at altitude?”
Lorenzen hinted that his changeup might become his primary weapon at high altitude.
“I know my changeup will get better,”
he remarked.
“The fact that that’s my best pitch and I’m going to be able to leverage it even more, that’s a big deal.”
Front Office Excited About Lorenzen’s Ability to Blend Pitches Strategically
Paul DePodesta expressed enthusiasm over Lorenzen’s unique pitching composition, emphasizing the value of how his pitches interact rather than their individual statistics.
“I would say we’re intrigued by the mix as a whole, because we think there are times where you may have an individual pitch that, by itself, doesn’t necessarily have the best metrics,”
DePodesta said.
“But by having that pitch, it actually makes the other pitches better because the hitter has to account for that pitch. So I think it’s really about how they all fit together, more so than just sort of one go-to pitch.”
DePodesta also praised Lorenzen’s eagerness to take on the Rockies’ challenge.
“We didn’t have to convince him of anything; he ran toward this challenge,”
he stated.
“Michael definitely wanted to pitch here. … I don’t think he’s afraid of anything. This is a challenge that he was actually (eager) to take on.”
Lorenzen Embraces the Challenge of Pitching for a Struggling Rockies Team
Despite the Rockies’ recent history of difficulty, including a 119-loss season and a historically poor 6.65 ERA for their pitching rotation, Lorenzen is undeterred. He reflected on his career and his attitude towards challenges, saying, “No, not at all,” when asked if the team’s struggles gave him pause.
“I fought with the Reds all of the time to be a two-way player. I love the challenge. I like trying to make things happen. And it seems like there is a ton of untapped talent on this team.”
He further elaborated on his mindset toward the Rockies’ problems:
“You can look at the word ‘problem’ in a negative way, or you can look at the word ‘problem’ from the perspective of opportunity. That’s always intrigued me about Colorado.”
Strong Coaching Relationships Played a Key Role in Lorenzen’s Decision
One of the significant draws for Lorenzen joining Colorado was his long-standing connection with several of the Rockies’ coaching staff, especially the newly appointed pitching coach Alon Leichman. Lorenzen shared,
“I have known a lot of them for a really long time, and it just seemed like the perfect fit to where we are all going to be on the same page.”
He elaborated on his relationship with Leichman:
“I have known Alon since 2017, before he was in pro ball. We have kept in touch throughout the years, so when he told me he was interviewing for the job, I was stoked for him. And he mentioned that he was going to try to bring me in if he ended up getting the job.”
Lorenzen’s Versatile Career Includes Both Starting and Relief Roles
Michael Lorenzen has demonstrated flexibility throughout his 11-year MLB career, appearing in 395 games and making 119 starts. The Rockies intend to utilize him primarily in their starting rotation. His recent performance has been varied; after a strong stint in 2024 following a trade to Kansas City from Texas, appearing in seven games with a stellar 1.57 ERA over 28 innings, Lorenzen’s 2025 season saw a decline. He pitched 141 2/3 innings in 27 games (26 starts), posting a 4.64 ERA while striking out a career-best 8.1 batters per nine innings but also surrendering 25 home runs, the highest of his career.
Lorenzen was a first-round draft pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 2013, coming out of Cal State Fullerton. An exceptional athlete, he also spent time as an outfielder, playing 34 games for the Reds between 2018 and 2021. During the 2018 season, he hit four home runs and maintained a .290 batting average in 34 plate appearances, showing his rare two-way talent.
What Lorenzen’s Addition Means for the Rockies Moving Forward
Michael Lorenzen’s arrival offers the Rockies a fresh and dynamic approach in the pitching staff, especially given his ability to wield eight distinct pitches and adjust their use based on conditions like the altitude challenges at Coors Field. His confidence in leveraging his changeup and other pitches adds much-needed depth and unpredictability to a rotation that struggled immensely last year.
The Rockies’ front office, led by Paul DePodesta, sees Lorenzen’s multifaceted skill set as a valuable asset to disrupt hitters’ timing and open up the rotation’s effectiveness. Lorenzen’s readiness to embrace the Rockies’ rebuilding phase with determination and optimism could inspire the team’s younger players and inject energy into the clubhouse.
As Lorenzen prepares for his first season with Colorado, his upcoming bullpen sessions at altitude will be crucial in fine-tuning his arsenal for Coors Field’s unique conditions. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if his eight-pitch mix can translate into success and help reverse the fortunes of a historically struggling pitching staff.
