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JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — Is minor-league pitcher Brett Lorin a hidden gem?

The Arizona Diamondbacks seem to think so. As part of Major League Baseball’s “Rule 5” draft today, the D’Backs plucked the 24-year-old hurler out of relative obscurity from the Pittsburgh Pirates’ farm system and placed him on its own active roster.

Asked what the Diamondbacks saw him Lorin, general manager Kevin Towers told MLB.com he liked the 6’7″ starter’s size, arm strength, and changeup.

“Any time you see guys with a strikeout-to-walk ratio like his (99 to 19), it catches your attention,” Towers added. “We think, if not a starter, he could become a long reliever for us.” The annual Rule 5 draft was created to prevent teams from hoarding promising players in their farm systems.

Lorin’s talents have not stayed hidden from Jewish fans. In September, Jewish Baseball News named him the second-best starting pitcher among Jewish minors leaguers. The Cal State Long Beach alum finished the 2011 season with a 7-6 record and 2.84 ERA for the Bradenton Marauders, Pittsburgh’s A-advanced squad. Lorin got better as the season progressed, going 5-2 in the second half while holding opposing batters to a .210 average.

Jewish Baseball News thanks reader Michael L. for the tip on Lorin’s selection.

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