D-Backs on Deck – Yoan Lopez

Arizona Sports News online

Yoan Lopez

POSITION:

RHP

TEAM:

Mobile BayBears (AA)

ETA:

2016

AGE:

23

Mike Bell, D-Backs Director of Player Development:

“It was a big adjustment for him last year coming from Cuba and it wasn’t until this winter that he was able to start to understand and relax. I think he has coming in this year more relaxed and calm. He really started throwing the ball well in the Fall League last year and this year and this spring DeJohn Watson said it was the best he has ever seen him throw the ball.”

2016 STATS:

June: 5 starts, 21.1 IP, 0-4, 8.86 ERA, 1.92 WHIP, 14 Ks, 15 BB

Season: 14 Starts, 62 IP, 4-7, 5.52 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 36 Ks, 32 BB

2015 STATS:

11 games with Mobile and AZ Rookie League, 10 starts, 54 IP, 2-6, 4.17 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 38 Ks, 24 BB

Notes:

(Updated 7/5) After giving up five earned runs, three walks and striking out five batters in his last start back on June 29th, Lopez reportedly left Mobile during a road trip with the intention of walking away from baseball. The organization convinced him to continue playing according to Nick Picoro of the Arizona Republic. It is a very tough turn of events for the promising prospect the team signed out of Cuba last year. It was the culmination of what was a disastrous month for Lopez who gave up 21 earned runs in 21.1 innings pitched and walking more batters than he K’d in that span. Mike Bell prefaced to me before each of the last two seasons that it is an adjustment for many Cubans who come to the United States and mentioned this of Lopez. He still has a lot of talent and it would be big for the team if they can get him turned around.

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