Position: IF
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 183 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 02/07/2002
Country: Dominican Republic
How Acquired: International Free Agent
Bonus: $400,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2025
Options Left: 3
Overview
Lopez got one of the bigger bonuses in the Pirates’ 2018-19 international signing period. He had Tommy John surgery after he signed, but was healthy by the time the DSL season started. Scouts like his swing a great deal and he has power potential, often to right-center. The biggest issue standing in his way offensively is probably his plate discipline. Initially a shortstop, he seemingly has the tools to play anywhere in the infield, but he’s had alarming error problems. Since his first year, the Pirates have moved him around between second, third and short, but the error problems have persisted.
2019-21
Lopez played mostly short in his debut season, although he saw a little time at first and third. He committed 18 errors at short. He did well at the plate, batting 341/404/485 with passable plate discipline. After missing the 2020 season, Lopez jumped to low A for the 2021 season. He handled the jump well, putting up an above-league-average OPS while playing the full season at age 19. He struck out a lot by past standards, but in 2021 his K rate (25%) was lower than the league average. He had a huge platoon split, with an OPS of 1.037 against LHPs and .662 against RHPs. He also had an OPS 160 points higher at home than on the road. In the field, Lopez mostly played short and third, with a little time at second. At every position he played, he was extremely error-prone.
2022-23
Lopez spent the season at Greensboro, playing a little over half the time at third, with the rest divided between second and short. At the plate, he made some strides, especially with power. After a miserable start in April, with a .470 OPS, he hit well consistently. His K rate ( 25% again) wasn’t bad but his walk rate (5%) was. A big caveat was the home/road split. Lopez’ power tends to run toward right-center, which is a spot that produces a lot of home runs at the Greensboro ballpark. Sure enough, Lopez hit 15 home runs and slugged .571 at home, four and .378 on the road. He also had a large, reverse platoon split. Defense remained a significant issue.
After the 2022 season, the Pirates left Lopez exposed to the Rule 5 draft and he was not selected. Unfortunately, during an off-season workout he suffered a dislocated knee and missed the entire 2023 season.
Stats
Transactions
July 2, 2018: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.