Michael Lorenzen
Trade deadline acquisition Michael Lorenzen had about as impressive of an introduction to the Phillies faithful last season as you could imagine. His decline was just as sudden and impressive.
Lorenzen famously threw a no-hitter in his home debut for the Phillies. It was just his second start with his new team after coming over from the Detroit Tigers. His first outing was no joke either. He compiled 17 innings of two-run ball in his first two starts, but that's when things went downhill. He fatigued as a starter and ended up in the bullpen. He finished with a 4-2 record and a 5.51 ERA as a Phillie.
The 32-year-old didn't get much attention from teams in the offseason. He didn't sign a contract until March 21, when he inked a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers. When he finally took the field on April 15, his Rangers debut was impressive, considering his quick ramp-up to the season.
The right-hander tossed five innings of shutout ball against his other former team, the Tigers. He struck out four while scattering three hits and somehow worked around five free passes. He has made three more starts since then.
Lorenzen held the Atlanta Braves to three runs on three hits over six innings while striking out seven. He then gave up five runs on six hits with just three strikeouts against the Cincinnati Reds. Most recently, he threw a six-inning quality start against the Kansas City Royals.
Through 23 innings over his four starts, Lorenzen has a 3.52 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP and a much-too-high 4.70 BB/9. The Phillies are probably glad they didn't bring him back as pitching depth this season, especially with how Spencer Turnbull has turned out.