Former Ashland U pitcher Art Warren working hard, staying patient as MLB lockout continues

Imagine you are Art Warren.

Imagine you are heading into what could be your first full Major League Baseball season with your hometown team, the Cincinnati Reds.

Imagine you have worked for years — from the University of Cincinnati to Ashland University to the Seattle Mariners organization — then were waived and purchased by MLB teams twice in less than three months, then had a strong 2021 season disrupted by injury.

And then imagine having to wait to go to Arizona for spring training due to a labor dispute — a lockout which shows no signs of being resolved anytime soon.

"Normally, I would be out in Arizona by now," Warren said. "I usually like to get out in the end of January before camp starts and get going, get a routine established out there. I'm not sure if I am too optimistic. Both sides want the season to start on time. We want to see the fans out there on March 31.

"Right now, we seem like we're still a little far apart."

After pitching six games in 2019 for the Mariners and not allowing a run over 5⅓ innings, Warren inexplicably didn't take the mound for Seattle during the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

"I think it's one of those unsolved mysteries that I don't know if we'll ever get the true answer to," Warren said of 2020. "I think that's something that I'll always be asking myself as well. I feel like I lost 2020 for no real logical reason.

"I feel like I gave them my all, and for me not to get an opportunity in 2020 gave me a sour taste in my mouth."

In October 2020, Warren was selected by the Texas Rangers off waivers. Then, in January 2021, he was purchased from the Rangers by the Reds.

"Things eventually work out as they should, so I'm very glad that I am with Cincinnati now," Warren said.

Once Cincinnati gave him a chance, and despite a mid-season oblique injury, Warren established himself as one of the Reds' best out of the bullpen with a 3-0 record, a 1.29 ERA, 34 strikeouts to eight walks, a WHIP of 0.91 and an opponents' batting average of .153.

"It's frustrating," Warren said of the injury. "Being close to home, I had a lot of family and friends and area support. It was really awesome to get to pitch in front of my home-state fans and family and friends. And then to get injured after getting an opportunity and being with a club that I feel values what I have to offer is heartbreaking.

"I felt like I was finally hitting the ground running."

Once Warren came back at the end of the season, he and fellow former Eagles hurler Brandyn Sittinger made history on Sept. 18, 2021, becoming the first two former AU baseball players to play in an MLB game on the same day.

"It's a great moment for Ashland University and for our baseball program," Warren said. "It was really cool for coach (John) Schaly. What are the chances of that? I'm proud of Sitt. He's gone through adversity as well.

"It's pretty special to me, and I know it's pretty special to Sittinger."

There was good news for Warren during this offseason, as he got married to his wife, Lauren.

"It's been awesome," Warren said. "Lauren and I were finally able to get married. We were engaged in 2019, and then COVID pushed our wedding back in 2020, and then this year COVID pushed our wedding back again one week because Lauren and I actually came down with COVID the week of our (wedding) day.

"We are very blessed. All of our vendors and most of our attendees were able to come one week later, so we were able to make it happen, and it's been great."

But now, however, Warren has to wait again due to the lockout. He hasn't and can't have any communication with the club during the lockout, but while Warren isn't sure what the Reds' plans for him are in 2022, he knows the role he'd like to have.

"I would love to close. I feel like that's kind of who I am. That's my identity," he said. "I think what I love most about closing is I appreciate how much our starters work throughout the week. They have one day to perform. It's our job to go in and solidify that moment.

"For me, I love the opportunity to go in and close the door for them."

Warren said if it was up to him, he would finish his MLB career in Cincinnati. He said he knows God will place him where he wants him to be — and it was quite a faith journey while being bounced around MLB for a short time.

"My faith has gotten me through the minor leagues," Warren said. "I was just leaning on God a lot to show me the way. When I didn't get the opportunities in Seattle, I was kind of questioning, like, 'Hey, God, is this what you want for me? Is this all you wrote for me?' I was asking a lot of questions and walking the faith line and seeing where he would take me.

"I kept praying about it and praying about it. I was wasting away in my age-27 season. I knew there was a purpose behind it. Looking back at 2020, it was a struggle-type of year for me, physically and mentally. To see God put that ball in my court (going to Cincinnati) like that was pretty special."

While Warren waits, he comes back to AU to work in the Conard Field House. In his only active season as an Eagle before being drafted by Seattle, Warren was 5-4 with a 3.88 ERA in 60⅓ innings over 12 starts in 2015. He allowed 48 hits and 47 walks while striking out 52 and yielding just one home run.

"I went through adversity here in my first year with Tommy John (surgery)," Warren said. "My second year, I pitched here. When I came here, I just felt comfortable. I like coming back here because it ... keeps me humble in a way. It reminds you how hard you worked in here. I had thoughts of getting to the big leagues here."