Baltazar Lopez Stats & Scouting Report

Top Rankings

International scouting supervisor Clay Daniel uncovered Lopez playing for Monterrey in the Mexican League, the same team on which the Diamondbacks found Erubiel Durazo and Oscar Villarreal. After a solid debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League, Lopez began 2004 in extended spring training. He hurt his right shoulder diving back into a base on a pickoff play, but was summoned to the Midwest League once he recovered. Shortly thereafter, Lopez officially emerged as a prospect. He has an effortless, fluid lefthanded stroke. His hands work free and easy, generating excellent bat speed through the hitting zone and line drives to all fields. His power is still developing, but Angels scouts believe he projects to have at least average pop once his wiry body fills out. Lopez needs to concentrate on hitting the top half of the baseball and improve his plate discipline, especially with offspeed stuff out of the zone. He's a below-average runner but isn't a baseclogger. He has soft hands and good actions at first base, though he needs to improve his range and at times rushes the exchange on his throws. Lopez should open the season in high Class A.

Two years ago, Cedar Rapids had a sweet-lefthanded-swinging, slick-fielding first baseman in Casey Kotchman. This season the Kernels had another in Lopez, who has a much lower profile but was likened to Rafael Palmeiro, just as Kotchman had been. After spending the first half of the year in extended spring training, Lopez showed off one of the MWL's prettiest strokes upon his arrival in mid-June. His bat flies through the strike zone and he manipulates the bat head well, working the ball to all fields. He's wiry but has strong wrists and should hit for at least average power, though some observers think he'll need to add some loft to his swing. Lopez can be a little anxious at the plate, as he hasn't learned to stay back on changeups or draw many walks. He doesn't run well, but his lack of speed doesn't hamper his defense.