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.

Kyle Lotzkar
Pitcher
Born: (1989-10-24) October 24, 1989
Tsawwassen, British Columbia
Bats: Left Throws: Right

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
  1. "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.
  2. http://www.delta-optimist.com/sports/lotzkar-makes-rare-home-appearance-1.1985595
  3. 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.
  4. Journal-News: Dayton, Ohio, news and information
  5. "Dragons pitching coach pleased with Lotzkar". Springfieldnewssun.com. August 5, 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  6. 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.
  7. Mayo, Jonathan (May 24, 2013). "Prospects pack rosters for 2012 All-Star Futures Game | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  8. Eddy, Matt (October 24, 2013). "Minor League Transactions: Oct. 16-23". Baseball America.
  9. nurun.com. "Molina gives Jays walk-off win | Bob Elliott | Columnists | Sports | London Free Press". Lfpress.com. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  10. "Canada advances at IBAF World Cup". sportsnet.ca. October 8, 2011. Archived from the original on January 15, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  11. Emrich, Robert (October 26, 2011). "Van Ostrand, Canada take Pan Am gold". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  12. "CANOE - SLAM! Sports - Baseball - Canada: Astros beat Canucks 11-6". Slam.canoe.ca. April 23, 2007. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  13. "Former Dragons Headed to WBC". Wdtn.com. January 22, 2009. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  14. "World Baseball Classic final rosters | MLB.com (pdf)" (PDF). Mlb.mlb.com. May 24, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  15. "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool - Player Card: Kyle Lotzkar". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  16. "Kyle Lotzkar Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
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