Felipe Lopez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #2 prospect in 2001
  A Puerto Rican native, Lopez moved to Florida with his father in 1990. He survived the deaths of his mother and stepmother, as well as an abusive relationship with his father, to become one of the state's top prospects for the 1998 draft. He signed too late that year to make an immediate impact but has risen quickly through the system. Only Wells has better tools among Jays prospects--and Lopez has five-tool ability. He has range to spare, a plus arm and true shortstop actions. He has average power and excellent speed, though it hasn't translated into high stolen-base totals yet. Lopez jumped over high Class A in 2000, which helps explain his mediocre numbers and inability to make consistent contact. Club officials have questioned his concentration, saying he took bad at-bats to the field with him, and are concerned he hasn't learned the nuances of baserunning yet. Lopez remains a key figure in the club's long-range plans and should return to Double-A in 2001. The Blue Jays wouldn't have rushed him if they didn't think it was good for him.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #2 prospect in 2000
  Background: Lopez had a trying upbringing. His mother died when he was three, and his stepmother died when he was 11. His uncle, Brewers minor leaguer Roberto Lopez, assumed a strong role in his life and his baseball career, sitting out a year of play to help Felipe when he was a high school senior. Strengths: Lopez is a potential five-tool talent. His silky smooth hands and strong arm remind scouts of Omar Vizquel, but Lopez projects at least average power at the plate. He has excellent speed, especially down the first-base line. Weaknesses: Lopez has not learned how to play within himself, especially on offense. His pitch recognition is weak, leading to too many strikeouts. He especially needs more discipline from the left side. Lopez needs better baserunning skills to take advantage of his speed. The Future: Lopez has the highest ceiling of Toronto's many middle-infield prospects. The organization's depth means he will be brought along slowly.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #3 prospect in 1999
  Background: Lopez didn't sign until August but still had an impressive pro debut, including a four-game sneak preview at Dunedin in the final month of the season. He followed that up with a strong effort in instructional league. Lopez is the third shortstop the Blue Jays have selected in the first round in the '90s. Unlike Kevin Witt (1994) and Joe Lawrence (1996), Lopez has the actions to be a true shortstop. Strengths: Lopez has good instincts for shortstop. He plays under control. He shows a plus arm and plus speed. He handles the bat well, though he is a better hitter from the left side, undoubtedly the result of having faced mainly righthanders in his amateur career. Weaknesses: Lopez has to work on his concentration, particularly on the bases and defensively. He had 13 errors in 23 games in his debut but not because he doesn't have the ability to make plays. He needs to improve his swing from the right side. The Future: The Blue Jays' shortstop of the future figures to open the '99 season at Dunedin.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #3 prospect in 2001
  For the first three years of his pro career, Lopez figured his talent would carry him to the major leagues. So he failed to study the game, made errors in the field because he didn't concentrate, and at times he loafed to first base after hitting routine grounders. But last fall, a light went on. Lopez' wife was pregnant with the couple's first child, and Lopez realized he had to take his life and his job more seriously. Not coincidentally, he moved up as soon as he grew up. He climbed from Double-A Tennessee to Triple-A Syracuse in late April, then became the Blue Jays' regular third baseman in early August. The Jays aren't ruling out keeping Lopez at third, but he's a natural middle infielder with power. Though he has played mostly shortstop as a pro, Toronto would like to move him to second base eventually. He strikes out a lot and still is prone to silly errors, but he has an electricity in his game that makes him a potential superstar. "He's got bat speed," Etchebarren said. "He just needs to get more consistent hitting the ball. When he does that, he'll be an outstanding hitter because you can't teach bat speed."
• 
  Ranked Southern League #6 prospect in 2000
  Toronto entered 2000 with amazing middle infield depth in the upper levels of its system. The Blue Jays had Brent Abernathy and Cesar Izturis at Triple-A, plus Lopez and Mike Young at Double-A. Lopez has the highest ceiling of that group, and the Jays made sure they didn't relinquish him in stretch-run deals that cost them Abernathy and Young. Lopez' game is still raw, but that's to be expected of a player who made his Double-A debut before turning 20. He's very flashy at shortstop, though he could stand to add some defensive consistency. Lopez needs to understand the strike zone better and improve his basestealing technique before he'll truly blossom offensively. He's a switch-hitter with good pop and some speed, and his potential is limitless. "Lopez had the best all-around tools in the league," Tennessee manager Rocket Wheeler said.
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  Ranked South Atlantic League #4 prospect in 1999
  A bigger and slightly less polished Furcal? Lopez, a native of Puerto Rico, got only 96 pro at-bats after signing last August but showed why Toronto invested a club-record $2 million bonus. "Felipe has amazing tools," Hagerstown manager Rolando Pino said. "Rafael Furcal might be more advanced in how to play the game, but just barely. Felipe can hit, hit with power, he has a great arm, good hands and can run. He has a chance to become a major league all-star, not just a good player." Though not as fast as Furcal, Lopez has legitimate power potential. He's a natural shortstop with range and arm strength, but requires more discipline and game awareness in the field and at-bat. He's still better from the left side but made improvements as a righthanded hitter.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #32 prospect in 2001
• Ranked Baseball America's #38 prospect in 2000
• Ranked Baseball America's #67 prospect in 1999

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Toronto entered 2000 with amazing middle infield depth in the upper levels of its system. The Blue Jays had Brent Abernathy and Cesar Izturis at Triple-A, plus Lopez and Mike Young at Double-A. Lopez has the highest ceiling of that group, and the Jays made sure they didn't relinquish him in stretch-run deals that cost them Abernathy and Young. Lopez' game is still raw, but that's to be expected of a player who made his Double-A debut before turning 20. He's very flashy at shortstop, though he could stand to add some defensive consistency. Lopez needs to understand the strike zone better and improve his basestealing technique before he'll truly blossom offensively. He's a switch-hitter with good pop and some speed, and his potential is limitless. "Lopez had the best all-around tools in the league," Tennessee manager Rocket Wheeler said.
• December, 1998 Scouting Report
  Background: Lopez didn't sign until August but still had an impressive pro debut, including a four-game sneak preview at Dunedin in the final month of the season. He followed that up with a strong effort in instructional league. Lopez is the third shortstop the Blue Jays have selected in the first round in the '90s. Unlike Kevin Witt (1994) and Joe Lawrence (1996), Lopez has the actions to be a true shortstop. Strengths: Lopez has good instincts for shortstop. He plays under control. He shows a plus arm and plus speed. He handles the bat well, though he is a better hitter from the left side, undoubtedly the result of having faced mainly righthanders in his amateur career. Weaknesses: Lopez has to work on his concentration, particularly on the bases and defensively. He had 13 errors in 23 games in his debut but not because he doesn't have the ability to make plays. He needs to improve his swing from the right side. The Future: The Blue Jays' shortstop of the future figures to open the '99 season at Dunedin.