Kyle Lotzkar
Kyle S. Lotzkar (born October 24, 1989) is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher. Lotzkar has also competed for the Canadian national baseball team.
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Born: Tsawwassen, British Columbia | October 24, 1989|||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medals
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Career
Amateur career
Lotzkar attended South Delta Secondary School in Delta, British Columbia. He played youth baseball for the Langley Blaze of the British Columbia Premier Baseball League.[1]
Professional career
The Cincinnati Reds selected Lotzkar in the supplemental first round, with the 53rd overall selection, of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. The Reds signed Lotzkar to a contract with a $600,000 signing bonus.[2] He made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast League Reds of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and Billings Mustangs of the Rookie-level Pioneer League in 2007. In 2008, he pitched for the Dayton Dragons of the Class-A Midwest League in 2008. He fractured his elbow in 2008.[3][4] As a result, Lotzkar had Tommy John surgery.[3] He missed the 2009 season, and only appeared in twelve games in 2010 for Cincinnati's Rookie-level affiliates. He pitched for Dayton in 2011, rated as the 10th best prospect in the Reds' organization by Baseball America.[5] Lotzkar was added to the Reds' 40 man roster after the 2011 season to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
Prior to the 2012 season, Baseball America rated Lotzkar the 30th best prospect in the Reds' organization.[6] He was named to appear in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game.[7]
Lotzkar was designated for assignment by the Reds on September 16, 2013. He was released on September 24, 2013. In October 23, Lotzkar signed with the Texas Rangers.[8] The Rangers released him in June 2015.[2]
International career
Lotzkar played for the Canadian national baseball team.[9] In 2011, he participated in the 2011 Baseball World Cup,[10] winning the bronze medal, and the Pan American Games, winning the gold medal.[11] He also competed for the Canadian Junior National Team in 2007[12] and was on Canada's provisional roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic,[13] but did not make the final roster.[14]
Pitching style
Lotzkar throws four-seam and two-seam fastballs (92–95 mph), a slider, and a changeup.[15] In the minors, he has had high walk (4.2) and strikeout (10.6) rates.[16]
References
- "B.C.'s best pitching prospects show stuff, then hold breath". Canada.com. June 7, 2007. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
- http://www.delta-optimist.com/sports/lotzkar-makes-rare-home-appearance-1.1985595
- Rallo, Curt (June 23, 2011). "MWL notes: Lotzkar learns from injury | MiLB.com News | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Milb.com. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
- Journal-News: Dayton, Ohio, news and information
- "Dragons pitching coach pleased with Lotzkar". Springfieldnewssun.com. August 5, 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
- 01/27/12 at 1:39pm by John Fay Comments (January 27, 2012). "Baseball America rates Reds' prospects | Cincinnati Reds". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
- Mayo, Jonathan (May 24, 2013). "Prospects pack rosters for 2012 All-Star Futures Game | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
- Eddy, Matt (October 24, 2013). "Minor League Transactions: Oct. 16-23". Baseball America.
- nurun.com. "Molina gives Jays walk-off win | Bob Elliott | Columnists | Sports | London Free Press". Lfpress.com. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
- "Canada advances at IBAF World Cup". sportsnet.ca. October 8, 2011. Archived from the original on January 15, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
- Emrich, Robert (October 26, 2011). "Van Ostrand, Canada take Pan Am gold". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- "CANOE - SLAM! Sports - Baseball - Canada: Astros beat Canucks 11-6". Slam.canoe.ca. April 23, 2007. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
- "Former Dragons Headed to WBC". Wdtn.com. January 22, 2009. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
- "World Baseball Classic final rosters | MLB.com (pdf)" (PDF). Mlb.mlb.com. May 24, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
- "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool - Player Card: Kyle Lotzkar". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
- "Kyle Lotzkar Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 1, 2012.