| Otto Lopez | |
|---|---|
.png) Lopez withLeones del Escogido in 2019 | |
| Miami Marlins – No. 6 | |
| Infielder /Outfielder | |
| Born: (1998-10-01)October 1, 1998 (age 26) Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 17, 2021, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| MLB statistics (through September 7, 2024) | |
| Batting average | .263 |
| Home runs | 4 |
| Runs batted in | 32 |
| Teams | |
| |
Otto Ariel Lopez (born October 1, 1998) is a Dominican-Canadian professionalbaseballinfielder for theMiami Marlins ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theToronto Blue Jays.
Lopez was born in theDominican Republic. He moved toCanada when he was young due to his father getting a teaching job inMontreal.[1] He first played organized baseball in Canada after only playing on the streets inSanto Domingo. He lived in Montreal'sTétreaultville neighbourhood and during that time tried his hand athockey,skiing,basketball andbadminton.[2]
After four years, Lopez returned to the Dominican Republic to live with his uncle and train at a small baseball academy, hoping to avoid theMajor League Baseball draft and instead sign a more lucrative free agent contract.[2]
Lopez signed with theToronto Blue Jays as an international free agent on July 4, 2016.[3] In 2017, he appeared in 51 games for theRookie-levelGulf Coast League Blue Jays, and recorded a .275batting average, onehome run, and 15runs batted in (RBI).[4] Lopez played the 2018 season with theRookie AdvancedBluefield Blue Jays and theLow–AVancouver Canadians. He played in 58 total games and hit a combined .308 with three home runs, 28 RBI, and 14stolen bases.[4]
Lopez played his first full season of minor-league baseball in 2019, appearing in 108 games for theSingle–ALansing Lugnuts and batted .324 with five home runs, 50 RBI, and 20 stolen bases.[4] In the offseason, Lopez played 13 games for theLeones del Escogido of theDominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM). He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[5] He returned to the Leones during the 2020–21 offseason, appearing in 18 games and batting .254.[4]
On November 20, 2020, Lopez was added to the Blue Jays'40-man roster to protect him from theRule 5 draft.[6] He split time during the 2021 season with theDouble-ANew Hampshire Fisher Cats andTriple-ABuffalo Bisons, batting a combined .315 in 113 games.[3] On August 17, 2021, Lopez made his major-league debut against theWashington Nationals,striking out in his onlyat-bat.[7] During the 2021–22 offseason he again played in LIDOM, batting .231 in 17 games forGigantes del Cibao.[4]
Lopez spent most of the 2022 season with Buffalo.[3] He collected his first major-league hit on October 1, 2022, his 24th birthday, against theBoston Red Sox.[8]
Lopez was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo to begin the 2023 season.[9] In 80 games for Buffalo, he hit .251/.307/.330 with 2 home runs, 31 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. On August 1, 2023, Lopez was placed on the 60–day injured list with a left oblique strain.[10] On February 9, 2024, Lopez wasdesignated for assignment by the Blue Jays after the signing ofYariel Rodríguez was made official.[11]
On February 13, 2024, Lopez was traded to theSan Francisco Giants in exchange for cash considerations.[12] He was optioned to the Triple–ASacramento River Cats to begin the 2024 season.[13] Lopez was designated for assignment by San Francisco on April 1.[14]
On April 4, 2024, Lopez was claimed off waivers by theMiami Marlins.[15]
Lopez played for theCanadian national baseball team in the2023 World Baseball Classic.[16]