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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Pitcher | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born: Tsawwassen, British Columbia | October 24, 1989||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bats: Left Throws: Right | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medals
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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]
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]
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]
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]
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