Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50
There are players on team's top 10 lists who have a huge ceiling, albeit with some risk. Lopez is more the type who has a higher floor than ceiling, one whose tools don't wow you, but there's certainty he's going to be a solid big leaguer. He's been outperforming those tools since the Royals took him out of Creighton, reaching Triple-A in just his second full year of pro ball in 2018.
When you combine Lopez's innate ability to make contact with his advanced approach at the plate and his off the charts intangibles, there's confidence in the organization he's going to be a solid every day big leaguer soon. Lopez knows who he is as a player -- a hitter who draws a ton of walks, doesn't strike out, and runs well. He has the arm, hands and instincts to play shortstop at the highest level, but can seamlessly slide over to second and even saw time at third and the outfield in college.
There's long been worries about his size and lack of strength in terms of him hitting for power and remaining durable for a full season, but Lopez's understanding of what he can and can't do should help mitigate that. That's what makes him a player development staff's dream and should allow him to help out in Kansas City in any of a number of roles. Statcast - Batting Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2019 1519 332 5 1.5 83.8 2.3 .240 .298 .260 .251 .264 19.1 12.7 4.5 ALL 1519 332 5 1.5 83.8 2.3 .240 .298 .260 .251 .264 19.1 12.7 4.5 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Transactions Team Date Transaction 05/14/2019 Kansas City Royals selected the contract of 2B Nicky Lopez from Omaha Storm Chasers. 01/08/2019 Kansas City Royals invited non-roster SS Nicky Lopez to spring training. 06/28/2018 SS Nicky Lopez assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers from Northwest Arkansas Naturals. 04/04/2018 SS Nicky Lopez assigned to Northwest Arkansas Naturals from Omaha Storm Chasers. 03/26/2018 SS Nicky Lopez assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers from Northwest Arkansas Naturals. 01/05/2018 Kansas City Royals invited non-roster SS Nicky Lopez to spring training. 06/26/2017 SS Nicky Lopez assigned to Northwest Arkansas Naturals from Wilmington Blue Rocks. 04/05/2017 SS Nicky Lopez assigned to Wilmington Blue Rocks from Burlington Royals. 03/16/2017 SS Nicky Lopez assigned to Kansas City Royals. 06/20/2016 Kansas City Royals signed SS Nicky Lopez. 06/20/2016 SS Nicky Lopez assigned to Burlington Royals.
