Brett Lorin

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #28 prospect in 2012
  Originally drafted by the Mariners in the fifth round in 2008 and traded a year later to the Pirates as part of a five-player package for Ian Snell and Jack Wilson, Lorin is on the move again after the Diamondbacks took him in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft in December. After missing the first half of the 2010 season with a hip injury, he bounced back to rank third in ERA (2.84) and WHIP (1.04) in the high Class A Florida State League last year. At 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds, Lorin has the look of a power pitcher but instead is all about finesse. His best attribute is his command of his fastball, which ranges form 87-91 mph and touches 94. He pitches from a low slot and with a long arm action, drawing comparisons to Kameron Loe, but his arm slot keeps him from using his height to generate more velocity. Lorin has good feel for his average changeup, and his slider showed improvement last year. With the pitching depth in the Diamondbacks system, Lorin faces an uphill battle to make the roster out of spring training. If he doesn't, Arizona will have to expose him to waivers and offer him back to Pittsburgh. His best bet is to prove his worth as a long reliever and spot starter. He's effective against righthanders and keeps the ball on the ground, a trait that will help him at hitterfriendly Chase Field.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #25 prospect in 2010
  One of the five players the Mariners sent to the Pirates for Jack Wilson and Ian Snell last July, Lorin pitched brilliantly for West Virginia following the trade, giving up six earned runs in seven starts. He's less experienced than most college pitchers because he worked just 58 innings in three seasons between Arizona and Long Beach State. He has made up for lost time by logging 175 innings in 1½ pro seasons, posting a 2.77 ERA and 177 strikeouts. A big-bodied righthander who has drawn comparisons to Carl Pavano, Lorin uses his frame to throw downhill with a lively 87-91 mph fastball. He has the potential for three average or better pitches, because both his hard slurve and his changeup have their moments. He improved his control last season, adding more fuel for the belief that he'll eventually pick in the back of a big league rotation. After dominating the lower minors, Lorin will face tougher tests in 2010, when he'll start the year in high Class A with a chance to end it in Double-A.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #28 prospect in 2009
  Lorin may turn out to be the biggest scouting success story from the Mariners' 2008 draft. His collegiate track record coming into the season consisted of 10 relief innings for Arizona, during which he posted a 9.31 ERA while allowing 22 baserunners. After transferring to Long Beach State as a redshirt sophomore, he went 5-3, 2.61 and beat California in regional play. He kept on dealing in pro ball after signing for $170,000, striking out 61 batters in 52 innings and making it to low Class A for eight games. Lorin's best pitch is his hard three-quarters curveball, and he also has an 88-92 mph fastball that tops out at 94. His pitches get on batters quickly because he's so tall and naturally deceptive and because he throws on a steep downward plane. He has shown some feel for a changeup. Like fellow college righthander Aaron Pribanic, Seattle's third-round pick last June, Lorin has a fresh arm and room for projection, as well as a similar ceiling as a back-of-the-rotation starter or power reliever.