The 2023 WBC Star player’s movie resume Vol.24:Yoan Lopez (New York Mets):Major Candidate for Team Cuba:“Hopeful reliever with much room to grow!”

Today's player's resume concerns the New York Mets' reliever, Yoan Lopez. Cuba called up him and infielder Andy Ibanez of the Detroit Tigers for the following year's World Baseball Classic, who both defected from the country.


Lopez signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks for a minor league contract in 2015 and made his major league debut on September 9th, 2018. He appeared in 10 games, pitching nine frames with a 3.00 ERA and striking out 11 batters as a reliever that year.


In 2019, the righty pitched out of the bullpen across 70 contests and 60.2 innings, marking 2-7 with a 3.41 ERA and fanning 42.


The 29-year-old pitcher transferred to the New York Mets in the 2021 off-season after playing with the Atlanta Braves triple-A for several months.

Lopez has had 3-8 with a 4.39 ERA over 121 games, having struck out 92 as a reliever and closer since his debut in 2018. 

KAISPO's baseball analyst says, "Lopez is an attractive righty with a strong 4-seam fastball and slider ball. But his ERA and opponent's batting average could be unsatisfactory as a reliever and closer. 4-seam and slider comprised more than 90% of his total pitches in 2022. So, if he learns an off-speed ball, he will improve his ERA. He is a hopeful reliever with so much room to grow."
(MLB No.280 KAISPO No.1461)