WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2009
VSL:  2-1-0, 5.64 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 22.1 IP, 1.2 BB/9, 6.0 K/9

Lopez struggled a little in his debut, although his peripheral numbers were better than his ERA.

2010
VSL:  5-0-0, 3.90 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 27.2 IP, 1.6 BB/9, 6.8 K/9

Lopez showed some improvement in his second year.  He started a trend that continued throughout his first four seasons:  his walk and K rates both increased.

2011
VSL:  1-3-0, 2.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 18.0 IP, 3.0 BB/9, 7.0 K/9
DSL:  1-1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 4.0 IP, 2.2 BB/9, 13.5 K/9

For some reason, Lopez got into two games in the DSL as well as 13 in the VSL.

2012
DSL:  3-2-4, 2.73 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 26.1 IP, 4.4 BB/9, 9.2 K/9

The Pirates dropped their VSL affiliate after 2011, so Lopez moved to the DSL.  He fanned over a batter an inning, but apparently at the cost of a high walk rate.

Lopez has played the maximum four years in the Latin American summer leagues.  He’ll get a shot at making the GCL team for 2013.  Despite not having played in the US yet, he’ll be eligible for the Rule 5 draft in the fall.