Local Fare: Bachar eyes return to mound
Lake Bachar probably can't wait to be back on the mound with the bases loaded and no outs.
It would be a welcome change from the past two years of adversity.
A rising pitching prospect for the San Diego Padres in 2019 after combining to go 8-4 with a 3.93 ERA and 133 strikeouts over 132⅔ innings for high Class A Lake Elsinore and AA Amarillo, Bachar wasn't able to compete the following year because COVID-19 wiped out minor-league baseball.
Injuring his right elbow during the down time, the Wheaton North High School product wound up having Tommy John surgery last April.
"It's been tough, to be honest," Bachar said. "I haven't played in two years, so it's been one of those things. They always say trust the process, but it (stinks) sometimes. It's definitely been some of the toughest years I've been through personally, but I've had a great support system with my family, with my wife and friends and we have a really group of rehab guys."
Four months after having reconstructive elbow surgery, Bachar's father David passed away.
"My dad battled cancer for three and a half years," Bachar said. "He was first diagnosed in January of 2018 and was given about six months. He went through 71 chemo (treatments). When he was taken off all treatments, the Padres, they were awesome to me and very supportive. Since I was rehabbing (in Arizona), they flew me back home and set me up with a personal trainer.
"I was able to spend six weeks at my dad's house and I got to spend the last couple months he had together. That was really big for me because I had missed so much from being away all these years playing baseball. It was nice to spend that time with him."
Saying his dad "now has the best seat in the house," Bachar is close to returning from Tommy John.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound righty just threw his second bullpen at the Padres' training complex in Peoria, Ariz., and is on track to be pitching for one of San Diego's minor-league affiliates by the end of May.
While the MLB season is in peril due to the lockout, there will be a full schedule of minor-league games. Bachar is eager to participate.
"It's been a long road, for sure," said Bachar, who played college baseball at Wisconsin-Whitewater before being the Padres' fifth-round draft pick in 2016. "My body and arm have been feeling really good. I'm trying to keep it smooth and trying to keep the intensity building slowly as I'm adding volume."
Bachar was also the punter for Whitewater's powerhouse football team, but baseball has always been his No. 1 priority. At the age of 26, he can't wait to resume playing.
"I think being out of the game for two years has taught me a lot." Bachar said. "I just don't want to be done playing. I've had a lot of things happen and I have a lot of motivation. You have to make the most of your opportunities, take whatever happens in your life and try to change it into a positive."
In addition to Bachar, there are many other former area high school stars that were drafted and are playing minor-league baseball.
Starting pitcher Quinn Priester (Cary-Grove) tops the list and will be featured in the Daily Herald later this week. Here are some other local prospects to watch:
Antoine Kelly
Milwaukee's second-round draft pick in 2019, the Maine East product pitched at three levels last year and had 27 strikeouts in 19⅓ innings. The left-hander played college baseball at Wabash Valley (Ill.) J.C.
Brett Harris
After playing college ball at Gonzaga, the Hersey High School graduate was Oakland's seventh-round draft pick last year. In 25 games with high Class A Lansing, the infielder had 3 home runs and 11 RBI.
Another Hersey product, relief pitcher Mike Danielak, also played for Lansing in 2021.
Eric Orze
The Mets drafted the Glenbard North graduate on the fifth round in 2020. Last year, the right-handed reliever pitched for Class AAA Syracuse, AA Binghamton and high A Brooklyn and was 4-2 with a 3.08 ERA, 5 saves and 67 strikeouts in 49⅔ innings.
Matt Svanson
The former Lake Zurich standout was drafted by Toronto on the 13th round last season. In 11 relief appearances with low Class A Dunedin, the 6-foot-5 righty had a 2.87 ERA, 5 saves and 23 strikeouts over 15⅔ innings.
Ryan Weiss
The South Elgin graduate was drafted by the Diamondbacks on the fourth round in 2018 after pitching at Wright State. The right-hander split last season between Class AAA Reno and AA Amarillo and was 6-3 with a 4.94 ERA.
Glenn Albanese
The Batavia H.S. product pitched for Louisville and was the Angels' 15th-round draft pick last year. In 6 starts for high Class A Tri-City, the 6-foot-6 righty was 0-1 with a 2.35 ERA.
Brooks Gosswein
After pitching for Barrington and Bradley, the left-handed pitcher was the White Sox's fourth-round draft pick in 2021. He ended the season with low Class A Kannapolis and allowed 4 runs in 9 innings over 3 starts.