When it comes to former Philadelphia Phillies players that made an impact during their time with the club, Michael Lorenzen sure ranks as one of the ones that just didn’t work out for the Phillies. However, that doesn’t mean he wasn’t any good as a ball player. In fact, Lorenzen has proven to be a trusted commodity this offseason as he has now secured a job for 2025.
Former Phillies pitcher Michael Lorenzen signs with Royals
On Monday, the 33-year-old right-hander agreed to a one-year, $7 million deal to return to the Kansas City Royals for the upcoming season, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The deal includes a mutual option for a second year worth $12 million.
Lorenzen was coming off a solid 2024 campaign when he posted a 7-6 record with a tidy 3.31 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, giving up 48 earned runs on 101 hits with 97 strikeouts in 130 1/3 innings pitched over 26 games that included 24 starts.
More significantly, he was a beast for the Royals down the stretch when they acquired him from the Texas Rangers at the trade deadline. Lorenzen was among the best in all of baseball when he compiled a 2-0 record with a sparkling 1.57 ERA and 1.08 WHIP, yielding just five earned runs on 19 hits with 12 walks and 22 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings of work in his seven games with Kansas City.
In doing so, it helped the Royals reach the postseason for the first time since their World Series win back in 2015. There is no doubt that impressive audition was likely what drew the Royals to re-up with Lorenzen for 2025.
Lorenzen remembered for his stunning no-hitter with Phillies
As for his time with Philadelphia, Lorenzen did have his one outstanding heroic moment when he made Phillies history by throwing the franchise’s 14th no-hitter in just his second start after coming over from the Detroit Tigers at the 2023 trade deadline. However, that was as good as it would get, as he ended up faltering in a Phillies uniform down the stretch, posting a dismal 5.51 ERA and 1.46 WHIP while giving up 29 earned runs, including nine home runs, with 20 walks and 28 strikeouts in just 47 1/3 innings pitched. He ended up being relegated to the bullpen and saw only two games of action during the Phillies’ 2023 postseason run.
At one point in time this offseason, Lorenzen’s agent did market the veteran right-hander as a potential two-way player (subscription required), per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, given his success as a hitter throughout his MLB career. Whether that played a role in ultimately landing his gig with the Royals for the coming year is totally unknown. But one thing is for sure: if Lorenzen ends up pitching like he did during those final two months in 2024 for the Royals, then he could become the best bargain deal in all of MLB this offseason.