Infielder Nicky Lopez, who’d been in camp with the Cubs as a non-roster invitee, triggered an opt-out in his minor league deal and has been granted his launch, Jon Heyman of the New York Publish experiences. He’s as soon as once more a free agent and may area curiosity from groups searching for infield depth.
Lopez, 30, is a light-hitting, premium defensive infielder who can present robust glovework at any infield spot to the left of first base. He’s had a robust spring exhibiting with the Cubs, too, hitting .450/.542/.550 in a tiny pattern of 30 plate appearances. The Cubs’ late signing of Jon Berti and promotion of prime prospect Matt Shaw — plus the presence of Rule 5 choose Gage Workman and out-of-options utilityman Vidal Brujan — narrowed any lifelike pathways for Lopez to Chicago’s main league roster, nevertheless.
Lopez spent the 2024 season with Chicago’s different membership and posted a .241/.312/.294 batting line in 445 plate appearances for the White Sox. That output is correct in step with his profession marks of .248/.312/.314, which are available in a notable pattern of 2346 plate appearances. Lack of punch however, Lopez is usually good for a league-average stroll fee and possesses plus contact expertise, evidenced by a profession 14.3% strikeout fee.
Metrics like Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Common each really feel Lopez is a superlative defender at second base and third base alike. There’s extra of a niche with regard to his shortstop protection, although his middling DRS ranking is due primarily to a brutal -9 grade in simply 344 innings there final yr. Outdoors of his 2024 efficiency, DRS has frequently felt he’s been at the least common at quick. Statcast’s OAA has persistently touted his defensive acumen there, highlighted by a +25 mark again in 2021.
