By Todd Devlin
It is more than just an honour for Kyle Lotzkar.
Being named to the World Team for the 2012 All-Star Futures Game symbolizes a return to a once promising path to the big leagues for the right-handed pitcher — a path that was derailed by a career-threatening injury three years ago.
But when the Delta, B.C. native takes the field at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City this weekend, he will do so with a clean bill of health and with a bright future once again.
"It gives me a bit of a different perspective," Lotzkar said of finding success after overcoming injury. "I will definitely appreciate the Futures Game that much more."
Watch the MLB Futures Game live on Sportsnet ONE, Sunday at 5 p.m. ET.
He has certainly enjoyed his 2012 season thus far.
In 16 games split between Class-A Bakersfield and Double-A Pensacola in the Cincinnati Reds organization, the right-hander owns a record of 7-3 and a 3.97 ERA to go along with 95 strikeouts in 81 2/3 total innings. Among Southern League starters, his 11.1 K/9 ratio trails only Trevor Bauer (11.2), the recently-promoted Arizona Diamondback.
"Consistency has been a bit of an issue for me," said the 6-foot-4, 200-pound right-hander, pointing to a few rough outings. "But if I’m able to stay healthy and get consistent repetitions, these issues will sort themselves out."
The results have landed the 22-year-old in this year’s Futures Game, which will take place on Sunday, July 8, at 5 p.m. ET as part of major league baseball’s all-star festivities.
"In terms of individual accolades, it’s one of the greatest honours I have received," Lotzkar said. "And it was one of my goals coming into the season."
It’s even more impressive given the youngster’s injury history. Some would argue it’s remarkable he is pitching at all.
Back in 2008, Lotzkar suffered a fractured elbow, the same injury sustained by former Tigers fireballer Joel Zumaya. In just his 10th start of the season at Class-A Dayton, the right-hander left the mound in pain after delivering a breaking ball to fellow prospect Brett Wallace.
"I just walked off the field," recalled Lotzkar, who was just 18 years old at the time. "I didn’t go into shock right away. It was an empty feeling."
The injury problems only got worse from there. Originally expected to miss a month, he was shut down during instructional league in the fall and then again the following spring when the pain persisted. In May of 2009, it was revealed he had a torn ACL, which led to multiple surgeries.
"There was no guarantee I would come back and throw healthy again because of the nature of what had happened," he said. "They placed a 2 1/2-inch screw parallel to the elbow and did Tommy John surgery on top of that."
He did come back, but the lengthy rehabilitation process lasted nearly two years. During that time, the right-hander says he focused on developing as a player — both on and off the field. And he got some help from Reds veterans Bill Bray, Edinson Volquez and Ben Davis, each of whom was rehabbing at rookie ball in 2010.
"I learned a lot from the older guys," Lotzkar said. "I needed to grow up because I was pretty immature coming into pro ball. I kept quiet, listened and worked hard and kept a good mentality. I think now I have a better grasp on a lot of things."
Three full seasons after his original injury, the former supplemental first-round draft pick (53rd overall in 2007) was back with Dayton in the Midwest League and doing what he has always done: tally up strikeouts. He fanned 72 over 66 2/3 innings upon his return and held opposing hitters to a .213 average.
Then he experienced his career highlight to this point, helping Team Canada win gold at the Pan Am Games in October. The right-hander’s contribution included a six-strikeout performance over 4 2/3 innings in a win over Venezuela that sent the Canadians to the semi-finals.
Prior to the 2012 season, Lotzkar was named to Cincinnati’s 40-man roster, and he attended Reds camp in the spring. Since then, he has been enjoying what will hopefully be his first full season in the minor leagues (despite it being his fifth year as a pro).
"I’m fully recovered," he said. "My primary goal is to stay healthy for the entire year and not miss a start."
With a solid half-season under his belt, the right-hander is now set to leave Pensacola for the weekend to participate in the Futures Game in Kansas City as one of 10 pitchers on the 25-man World Team roster.
"I am extremely fired up," he said. "I have heard from other players that it is an unreal experience."
Lotzkar joins an impressive list of Canadians who have previously played in the event, including current big-leaguers Joey Votto, Justin Morneau, Jeff Francis, Russell Martin, Michael Saunders, George Kottaras, and Brett Lawrie.
But he’ll be the only Canadian representative this year, and it has him thinking of ways to show his Canadian pride.
"I haven’t decided, but maybe I will wear the cleats I wore with Team Canada when we won the gold medal."