Javier Lopez
| IP | 533 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.478 |
| WHIP | 1.349 |
| BB/9 | 3.968 |
| SO/9 | 6.045 |
- Full name Javier Alfonso López
- Born 07/11/1977 in San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Virginia
- Debut 04/01/2003
- Drafted in the 4th round (133rd overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1998.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Like Matt White, Lopez is a major league Rule 5 pick who resurrected his career last season and will compete for the job as the second bullpen lefty in 2003. Lopez was shelled for his first four years in the minors, compiling a 5.69 ERA. The Diamondbacks moved him to the bullpen in 2001, which didn't solve anything. They switched him to a sidearm delivery in 2002, which proved to be just what he needed. Lopez sliced his Double-A ERA from 7.43 the year before to 2.72 and was death to lefthanders, who went just 7-for-60 (.117) with one extra-base hit (a double) and 23 strikeouts against him. He continued to pitch well in his native Puerto Rico over the winter. Lopez throws a mid-80s fastball, variations off his slider and a changeup. He mixes arm angles and velocities, and alternates his slider between a hard breaking ball and a sweeping pitch. Lopez will have to prove that he can keep big league righthanders at bay, and if he does in spring training he could break camp with the Red Sox.
