Fairbanks pitcher Weston Lorenz fires the ball toward the plate. Lorenz will continue his baseball career at Baldwin-Wallace. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Major League Baseball fans from the late 1980s into the 2000s remember what a menacing figure pitcher Randy Johnson presented to opposing batters.
The 6-10 southpaw with the perpetual snarl was nicknamed the “Big Unit” for good reason.
His stature, demeanor and 100-mph fastball made even the heartiest hitters quake with fear.
Fairbanks High School senior Weston Lorenz doesn’t have a snarl. As a matter of fact, he’s a pretty good-natured fellow.
His fastball doesn’t reach the lofty three-digit number, however, he does whip the ball toward the plate in the upper 70’s.
It’s his 6-8 frame, though, that helped draw the attention of the coaching staff at Baldwin-Wallace University.
“I think my height and fastball attracted the Baldwin-Wallace coaches,” said Lorenz during a recent telephone interview with the Journal-Tribune. “They see a lot of potential with my height and feel I can grow as a college pitcher.”
Lorenz had also looked at Ohio Northern University and Bluffton, both of which offered him spots on their diamond roster.
Lorenz first became acquainted with the Baldwin-Wallace baseball program when he participated in a camp at the school last fall.
He liked what he experienced after taking matters into his own hands.
“I reached out to the coaches and went to their prospect camp,” he said. “I really did some self-promoting.”
Lorenz split time on the mound and at first base for Fairbanks during the 2019 campaign.
He compiled a 2-0 record with a 3.13 ERA.
Lorenz also batted .265 for the Panthers.
“Weston worked very hard during his time in our program,” said FHS head coach Josh Rine. “He improved his skills every year.”
Although Lorenz used his tall frame to stretch for a lot of throws at first base, he first and foremost considers himself a pitcher.
“That’s what I am in my mind,” he said. “However, I could play some first base or DH at Baldwin- Wallace.
“I don’t think the coaches will say no if I can play somewhere else when I’m not pitching.”
Lorenz said he’s not sure what the Yellow Jackets’ pitching staff will look like for the 2021 season.
The NCAA has declared that 2020 seniors can return for an additional year of competition since spring sports were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s hard to say who will come back next year,” said Lorenz.
Lorenz’s junior year of 2019 was the final high school baseball season in his career due to COVID-19.
He has, however, kept in baseball shape by working out on his own this spring.
“I’ve been doing some pitching on the side and throwing weighted baseballs,” said Lorenz, who also says his changeup and control are additional assets in his mound repertoire.
Baldwin-Wallace’s baseball team was not the only thing that attracted Lorenz to the Berea, Ohio school.
“They have a very good internship program in sports management,” he said. “They value hands-on experience for their students.”
Lorenz’s ultimate goal is to become the general manager of a professional football or baseball team.
His preference, he said, would be his favorite baseball franchise, the Cleveland Indians.