Lorenzen among Reds prospects to play in AFL

ST. LOUIS -- Reds pitching prospect Michael Lorenzen was drafted by the organization in June and has already pitched at four different levels. Taken 38th overall as a first-round competitive-balance pick out of California State University Fullerton, Lorenzen reached Double-A Pensacola earlier this month.

Before the year is over, Lorenzen will be with a fifth team. He was among several prospects named Tuesday to participate in the Arizona Fall League. A two-way player in college -- and ranked by MLB.com as the Reds' No. 6 prospect -- the AFL stint will be a chance to pitch more out of the bullpen.

"It will be a good experience for him to continue to face a high level of competition while focusing solely on pitching," said Reds player development director Jeff Graupe. "He's been going out and competing, and it's been fun to watch him continue to develop."

Lorenzen, 21, has a 2.84 ERA in 20 appearances combined in the Arizona League, Class A Dayton, Class A Bakersfield and Pensacola. He has walked 13 and struck out 17.

"He's worked exclusively out of the bullpen and acclimated to the professional level," Graupe said. "We'll let him develop his offspeed pitches and see where things go."

Joining Lorenzen on the Glendale Desert Dogs' squad are six Pensacola players -- pitchers Drew Hayes and James Walczak, catcher Tucker Barnhart, infielder Travis Mattair and outfielders Yorman Rodriguez and Ryan LaMarre. Also going to Arizona is pitcher Chad Rogers. Rookie level Billings pitching coach Tom Browning will be the AFL team's pitching coach.