Jorge Lopez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #15 prospect in 2017
  No prospect in the organization went backwards as much as Lopez did in 2016, and it was difficult to assign blame. Was it solely his fault or did the hitter-friendly conditions at Triple-A Colorado Springs do him in? Lopez's best pitch is a knee-bending curveball, and when he couldn't get it to break as much at high altitude in the Pacific Coast League, he failed to adjust and went into a deep funk. His command completely deserted him to the point that he issued an incredible 55 walks in 79.1 innings in Triple-A. It got so bad that the Brewers eventually removed him from that club, sent him to their training complex in Phoenix to regroup and then downward to Double-A Biloxi, where Lopez had been the Southern League pitcher of the year in 2015. Now, it remains to be seen if he can re-gather his mechanics and move forward again. When on top of his game, he features an explosive fastball at 92-95 mph and the aforementioned curveball with strong downward tilt. Lopez needs to work more on his changeup to gain more consistency and keep hitters off his fastball. It remains to be seen if 2015 was a season that Lopez never will be able to repeat, or if he can survive if sent back to Colorado Springs. The 2017 season will be telling.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #2 prospect in 2016
  The Brewers have harbored high expectations for Lopez since making him a second-round pick in 2011, and he made progress at high Class A Brevard County in 2014. That was nothing compared with his breakthrough 2015 at Double-A Biloxi in which he won Southern League pitcher of the year honors. He led the league with 12 wins and a .205 opponent average, while ranking second in ERA (2.26) and third in strikeouts (137). Lopez throws three pitches for strikes, including a dynamic, high-70s curveball that he unleashes with plus downward tilt. He can spot the pitch in the zone or bury it as a chase pitch. Lopez's velocity has gradually increased since being drafted, and he now pitches at 92-94 mph and can reach back for 97 when needed. He locates down in the zone and has average control. His third pitch is an effective changeup that is deceptive because he repeats his delivery and arm slot. Success breeds confidence, and Lopez displayed plenty of both in 2015, which he finished as a September callup. He will join the rotation at some point in the next two seasons and profiles as a No. 2 or 3 starter.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #15 prospect in 2015
  Selected as a raw 18-year-old in the 2011 draft, Lopez took a while to get his feet on the ground professionally. Slowed by back issues early in his career, he experienced little initial success and even moved back to the Dominican Summer League in 2012. He worked his way through continued growing pains and finally began to fulfill his potential in 2014 at high Class A Brevard County, and under the most difficult of circumstances. Lopez's infant son Mikael was seriously ill and needed constant medical care that led to considerable medical bills. But Lopez managed to keep his focus on the mound before fading in the second half. He throws his fastball in the 90-94 mph range with good movement. He has a nice, easy delivery and good sink on his two-seamer. His improved curveball has become a solid-average secondary pitch at 75-78 mph with good bite. Lopez's changeup remains a work in progress, but he is not afraid to use it. Lopez took a step forward and continues to profile as a possible back-end starter in the big leagues. He likely will be assigned to Double-A Biloxi.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #24 prospect in 2014
  When the Brewers drafted Lopez as a raw, 18-year-old in the second round of the 2011 draft, they knew his development would feature growing pains. His 2012 season turned out to be more problematic than expected, with back issues and the a demotion from the Rookie-level Arizona League to the Dominican Summer League. But the Brewers assigned Lopez to low Class A Wisconsin in 2013 and left him there to sink or swim. He showed flashes of the talent that initially piqued the club's interest but also plenty of inconsistency. Lopez throws his fastball in the 89-93 mph range with good action. The ball comes out of his hand with ease, and his two-seamer has good sink. His curveball comes and goes, but when Lopez stays on top of the ball it has quality bite. He has good feel for his changeup, though he sometimes overthrows it. Lopez must get more consistent with his delivery and release point, as evidenced by the 13 wild pitches and nine hit batters in 117 innings at Wisconsin. Lopez still is maturing, both physically and mentally, and the Brewers believe he has mid-rotation starter potential. He likely will move up to high Class A Brevard County to begin 2014.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #23 prospect in 2013
  The Brewers wanted to restock their pitching with the 2011 draft, and they were excited to land Lopez in the second round and sign him for $690,000. The returns from his first full pro season were disappointing, however. He experienced some back issues in the early part of 2012 and didn't perform well in the Arizona League, before making an unusual move to the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League to work with instructors there. The good news was that Lopez looked better in instructional league, touching 95 mph and throwing a hammer curveball that buckled hitters' knees. He works around 90-91 mph with his fastball but should throw harder as he gets stronger. He has good feel for a breaking ball and uses it as a strikeout pitch when ahead in the count. Lopez continues to work on a changeup as his third pitch. He got better at repeating his loose delivery, which bodes well for improving his control and command. Still a teenager, Lopez has a long way to go but has No. 3 starter's upside. He probably will go to low Class A to begin 2013.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #9 prospect in 2012
  The Brewers figured Lopez would go in the supplemental first round of the 2011 draft, and they were thrilled to grab him with the 70th overall choice and sign him for $690,000. He became Puerto Rico's second-highest drafted pitcher ever, trailing only Braves 2003 sandwich pick Luis Atilano. Also a volleyball and track star in high school, Lopez has a lot of physical projection remaining in his lanky frame and should improve now that he's focusing on baseball. With long arms and a loose delivery, Lopez regularly throws his fastball at 89-91 mph and touches 93. Milwaukee believes he'll throw in the mid-90s once he fills out. He also has an over-the-top curveball that can buckle hitters' knees. He has unusual feel for his curve for a teenager and will throw it in any count. He only has been pitching for three years, so his changeup and command are still works in progress. Lopez has good body control for a lanky youngster, though his arm action can get a little sweepy in the back. Lopez has a ceiling as a No. 2 or 3 starter but a long way to go to get there. He'll probably spend 2012 at Rookie-level Helena and make his full-season debut the following season.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Southern League #7 prospect in 2015
  One of the more heralded pitching prospects of Puerto Rico's draft era, Lopez fell short of expectations early in his career. He spent two seasons in Rookie ball and then logged a cumulative 4.88 ERA at two Class A levels in 2013 and 2014, despite making half his starts in favorable pitching environments. Lopez began to deliver on his promise and projection in 2015 with a breakout season at Biloxi in which he won the SL pitcher of the year award and drew unanimous praise from scouts. Lopez led the SL with 12 wins and a 1.10 WHIP, ranked third with 137 strikeouts and narrowly missed winning the league's ERA title. He throws strikes with three pitches, including the finest breaking pitch in the SL: a high-70s, big-breaking, downer curveball he can spot for strikes or bury as a chase pitch. He can dial his fastball up to 98 mph but sits comfortably in the 92-95 range and spots the pitch on the black consistently from start to start. Lopez's changeup is his third pitch, but it plays because he uses the same arm slot and delivery for all his offerings. "He's not afraid to throw his changeup or curveball, even in 3-2 counts," Biloxi manager Carlos Subero said. "He holds runners. He knows the game situation--who's at the plate, who's on deck. He's got mound presence and three quality pitches. In other words, he's got the whole package.""

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #59 prospect in 2016

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: The Brewers figured Lopez would go in the supplemental first round of the 2011 draft, and they were thrilled to grab him in the second round with the 70th overall selection and sign him for $690,000. He became Puerto Rico's second-highest drafted pitcher ever, trailing only Braves 2003 sandwich pick Luis Atilano. Also a volleyball and track star in high school, Lopez has a lot of physical projection remaining in his lanky frame and should improve now that he's focusing on baseball. Scouting Report: With long arms and a loose delivery, Lopez regularly throws his fastball at 89-91 mph and touches 93. Milwaukee believes he'll throw in the mid-90s once he fills out. He also has an over-the-top curveball that can buckle hitters' knees. He has unusual feel for his curve for a teenager and will throw it in any count. He has been pitching for just three years, so his changeup and command are still works in progress. Lopez has good body control for a lanky youngster, though his arm action can get a little sweepy in the back. The Future: Lopez has a ceiling as a No. 2 or 3 starter but a long way to go to get there. He'll probably spend 2012 at Rookie-level Helena and make his full-season debut the following season.