Otto Lopez Stats & Scouting Report

AB	403
AVG	.27
OBP	.313
SLG	.377
HR	6

Full name Otto Ariel Lopez
Born 10/01/1998 in Santo Domingo Centro, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut 08/17/2021

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium

Track Record: Lopez signed for just $60,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2016 and since then has been one of the most steady contact hitters in a Blue Jays system full of strong hit tools. Lopez won back-to-back league batting titles on both sides of the 2020 pandemic. He won the Midwest League batting title in 2019 and the Eastern League batting title in 2021. He spent the majority of his 2022 season with Triple-A Buffalo and hit .297. Lopez shuttled back and forth from Toronto to Buffalo and appeared in parts of six different series for the Blue Jays.

Scouting Report: A classic utility player, Lopez can fill in at all three outfield spots in addition to his natural position of second base. He can fill in at shortstop in a pinch but not for any extended period. At the plate, he's a hit-over-power profile who uses the whole field and has plus contact skills and running ability to get on base. Unlike many high-contact hitters, Lopez flashes an advanced approach at the plate and rarely expands the zone with consistent, quality at-bats. His game power is poor and unlikely to ever be a large part of his game. He's a plus runner but only an average base stealer and has never eclipsed the 25 stolen base mark in any season. Defensively he's average at a variety of spots, and can fill in at center field but lacks experience at the position.

The Future: A plus contact hitter who knows how to get on-base with the ability to handle four to five positions on the diamond, Lopez has the look of a low-risk utility player.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 20. Run: 60. Field: 50. Arm: 45.
Track Record: Lopez signed out of the Dominican Republic for $60,000 in 2016 and gained attention when he won the Low-A Midwest League batting title in 2019. He wasn’t invited to the Blue Jays’ alternate training site in 2020, but he performed well enough in instructional league to be added to the 40-man roster after the season. Lopez gained more believers in 2021 when he kept hitting and won another batting title with Double-A New Hampshire. He continued to perform well after a promotion to Triple-A and got one at-bat in the majors when he made his big league debut on Aug. 17.

Scouting Report: Lopez has long faced skepticism because he is susceptible to stepping in the bucket and pulling off the ball when he swings. His bat control, however, is so strong he projects to be an above-average hitter even with those flaws. Lopez has a penchant for squaring up high-velocity fastballs up in the strike zone, rarely strikes out and takes his walks to post high batting averages and on-base percentages. He has below-average power and a bat path that leads to a lot of balls on the ground, so he doesn’t project to ever be much of a home run threat. Lopez is a good athlete who is a plus runner with an average arm. He mostly plays second base and has seen time at shortstop and center field as well, though he’s stretched at shortstop.

The Future: Lopez projects to be in the lineup every day at different positions as a bat-driven utility player. If he adds a bit more power, he could solidify his place as an everyday regular.
TRACK RECORD: Signed for $60,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2016, Lopez broke out in 2019 with a batting title in the low Class A Midwest League. In 2020, Lopez spent a few weeks in instructional league before going home to play winter ball for Escogido in the Dominican Republic. The Blue Jays added him to the 40-man roster after the season.

SCOUTING REPORT: Lopez won't jump out for his pure tools, but he has an innate feel for contact and a particular knack for barreling fastballs up in the zone. Lopez doesn't walk much and would benefit from a more selective hitting approach, as his bat control leads to light contact on pitches he should lay off. Lopez has average raw power, though it hasn't manifested itself in games yet with a swing geared for low line drives and grounders. There's unlocked power for Lopez to tap into if he shifts his intent from a contact-oriented approach to one where he tries to drive certain pitches for extra-base damage. Lopez has primarily played shortstop with his slightly above-average speed and average arm strength, but he will be stretched to play there every day at higher levels. He has played second base and the outfield, as well.

THE FUTURE: Lopez's future may involve playing multiple positions. He has a chance to be an everyday player if he's able to hit for more power in games.
TRACK RECORD: The Blue Jays signed Lopez out of the Dominican Republic for $60,000 in 2016. He had a low profile until 2019, when he won the batting title in the low Class A Midwest League in his full-season debut.

SCOUTING REPORT: Lopez doesn't have flashy tools, so he doesn't jump out immediately, but he's a baseball rat and a gamer with a knack for barreling baseballs. Lopez has good bat control with a linedrive, all-fields approach. While it doesn't show in his numbers, Lopez is strong and has at least average raw power. There's more untapped power potential if Lopez can make an adjustment to his approach. He generally shows a sound feel for the strike zone, though there are times he could be more selective. Lopez spent most of his time at shortstop, though he played some second base and corner outfield as well.

THE FUTURE: Moving around the diamond may be his role going forward, as his defense might be stretched thin as an everyday shortstop, with average speed and arm strength. High Class A Dunedin should be his next step.

Minor League Top Prospects

After seemingly working his way out of the shadows this season, Lopez even found a way to surprise his manager, Dallas McPherson. "He's definitely been under the radar all year," McPherson said. "I mean, he was fighting for the league batting title and didn't even make the all-star team or the post-season all-star team. I think that's someone who has definitely been overlooked throughout the whole season and has been probably our most valuable player." Lopez, 20, expertly managed the strike zone against Midwest League pitching, adding in deceptive power and a mature eye on the base path. "I liked him a lot," a scout said. "I liked the way he moved, the way he played, and I like the bat. His at-bat quality has to improve a bit, but for me, he was one of the best athletes on the field. He's small, but he's got some power and I think he's going to grow into that power."

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium

Track Record: Lopez signed for just $60,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2016 and since then has been one of the most steady contact hitters in a Blue Jays system full of strong hit tools. Lopez won back-to-back league batting titles on both sides of the 2020 pandemic. He won the Midwest League batting title in 2019 and the Eastern League batting title in 2021. He spent the majority of his 2022 season with Triple-A Buffalo and hit .297. Lopez shuttled back and forth from Toronto to Buffalo and appeared in parts of six different series for the Blue Jays.

Scouting Report: A classic utility player, Lopez can fill in at all three outfield spots in addition to his natural position of second base. He can fill in at shortstop in a pinch but not for any extended period. At the plate, he's a hit-over-power profile who uses the whole field and has plus contact skills and running ability to get on base. Unlike many high-contact hitters, Lopez flashes an advanced approach at the plate and rarely expands the zone with consistent, quality at-bats. His game power is poor and unlikely to ever be a large part of his game. He's a plus runner but only an average base stealer and has never eclipsed the 25 stolen base mark in any season. Defensively he's average at a variety of spots, and can fill in at center field but lacks experience at the position.

The Future: A plus contact hitter who knows how to get on-base with the ability to handle four to five positions on the diamond, Lopez has the look of a low-risk utility player.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 20. Run: 60. Field: 50. Arm: 45.
BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium

Track Record: Lopez signed for just $60,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2016 and since then has been one of the most steady contact hitters in a Blue Jays system full of strong hit tools. Lopez won back-to-back league batting titles on both sides of the 2020 pandemic. He won the Midwest League batting title in 2019 and the Eastern League batting title in 2021. He spent the majority of his 2022 season with Triple-A Buffalo and hit .297. Lopez shuttled back and forth from Toronto to Buffalo and appeared in parts of six different series for the Blue Jays.

Scouting Report: A classic utility player, Lopez can fill in at all three outfield spots in addition to his natural position of second base. He can fill in at shortstop in a pinch but not for any extended period. At the plate, he's a hit-over-power profile who uses the whole field and has plus contact skills and running ability to get on base. Unlike many high-contact hitters, Lopez flashes an advanced approach at the plate and rarely expands the zone with consistent, quality at-bats. His game power is poor and unlikely to ever be a large part of his game. He's a plus runner but only an average base stealer and has never eclipsed the 25 stolen base mark in any season. Defensively he's average at a variety of spots, and can fill in at center field but lacks experience at the position.

The Future: A plus contact hitter who knows how to get on-base with the ability to handle four to five positions on the diamond, Lopez has the look of a low-risk utility player.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 20. Run: 60. Field: 50. Arm: 45.
BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Lopez signed out of the Dominican Republic for $60,000 in 2016 and gained more attention when he won the Low-A Midwest League batting title in 2019. He converted more believers in 2021 when he just kept hitting, winning another batting crown with Double-A New Hampshire and continuing to perform well in Triple-A, with one big league at-bat mixed in on Aug. 17.

Scouting Report: When Lopez was in the lower minors, he faced skepticism about whether what he was doing would translate at higher levels, but he eased more concerns in 2021. Lopez is susceptible to stepping in the bucket and pulling off the ball when he swings, but his bat control remains strong. His strikeout rate was 17% in 2021, and he has a penchant for squaring up good fastballs up in the zone. He spreads the ball to all fields, albeit without much power and a bat path that leads to a lot of balls on the ground, so he has never hit for much power. Lopez is a plus runner with an average arm. He&#39&#39s a good athlete who has mostly played second base, with time at shortstop and center field as well, though he&#39&#39s stretched thin at shortstop.

The Future: Being able to tap into more power would help Lopez develop into an everyday player. Some scouts see him in that role, regardless, getting into the lineup at different positions as a bat-driven utility player.

Scouting Grades:
Hit: 55. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.
Track Record: Lopez signed out of the Dominican Republic for $60,000 in 2016 and gained attention when he won the Low-A Midwest League batting title in 2019. He wasn’t invited to the Blue Jays’ alternate training site in 2020, but he performed well enough in instructional league to be added to the 40-man roster after the season. Lopez gained more believers in 2021 when he kept hitting and won another batting title with Double-A New Hampshire. He continued to perform well after a promotion to Triple-A and got one at-bat in the majors when he made his big league debut on Aug. 17.

Scouting Report: Lopez has long faced skepticism because he is susceptible to stepping in the bucket and pulling off the ball when he swings. His bat control, however, is so strong he projects to be an above-average hitter even with those flaws. Lopez has a penchant for squaring up high-velocity fastballs up in the strike zone, rarely strikes out and takes his walks to post high batting averages and on-base percentages. He has below-average power and a bat path that leads to a lot of balls on the ground, so he doesn’t project to ever be much of a home run threat. Lopez is a good athlete who is a plus runner with an average arm. He mostly plays second base and has seen time at shortstop and center field as well, though he’s stretched at shortstop.

The Future: Lopez projects to be in the lineup every day at different positions as a bat-driven utility player. If he adds a bit more power, he could solidify his place as an everyday regular.
TRACK RECORD: Signed for $60,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2016, Lopez broke out in 2019 with a batting title in the low Class A Midwest League. In 2020, Lopez spent a few weeks in instructional league before going home to play winter ball for Escogido in the Dominican Republic. The Blue Jays added him to the 40-man roster after the season.

SCOUTING REPORT: Lopez won't jump out for his pure tools, but he has an innate feel for contact and a particular knack for barreling fastballs up in the zone. Lopez doesn't walk much and would benefit from a more selective hitting approach, as his bat control leads to light contact on pitches he should lay off. Lopez has average raw power, though it hasn't manifested itself in games yet with a swing geared for low line drives and grounders. There's unlocked power for Lopez to tap into if he shifts his intent from a contact-oriented approach to one where he tries to drive certain pitches for extra-base damage. Lopez has primarily played shortstop with his slightly above-average speed and average arm strength, but he will be stretched to play there every day at higher levels. He has played second base and the outfield, as well.

THE FUTURE: Lopez's future may involve playing multiple positions. He has a chance to be an everyday player if he's able to hit for more power in games.
TRACK RECORD: Signed for $60,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2016, Lopez broke out in 2019 with a batting title in the low Class A Midwest League. In 2020, Lopez spent a few weeks in instructional league before going home to play winter ball for Escogido in the Dominican Republic. The Blue Jays added him to the 40-man roster after the season.

SCOUTING REPORT: Lopez won't jump out for his pure tools, but he has an innate feel for contact and a particular knack for barreling fastballs up in the zone. Lopez doesn't walk much and would benefit from a more selective hitting approach, as his bat control leads to light contact on pitches he should lay off. Lopez has average raw power, though it hasn't manifested itself in games yet with a swing geared for low line drives and grounders. There's unlocked power for Lopez to tap into if he shifts his intent from a contact-oriented approach to one where he tries to drive certain pitches for extra-base damage. Lopez has primarily played shortstop with his slightly above-average speed and average arm strength, but he will be stretched to play there every day at higher levels. He has played second base and the outfield, as well.

THE FUTURE: Lopez's future may involve playing multiple positions. He has a chance to be an everyday player if he's able to hit for more power in games.
TRACK RECORD: Signed for $60,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2016, Lopez broke out in 2019 with a batting title in the low Class A Midwest League. In 2020, Lopez spent a few weeks in instructional league before going home to play winter ball for Escogido in the Dominican Republic. The Blue Jays added him to the 40-man roster after the season.

SCOUTING REPORT: Lopez won't jump out for his pure tools, but he has an innate feel for contact and a particular knack for barreling fastballs up in the zone. Lopez doesn't walk much and would benefit from a more selective hitting approach, as his bat control leads to light contact on pitches he should lay off. Lopez has average raw power, though it hasn't manifested itself in games yet with a swing geared for low line drives and grounders. There's unlocked power for Lopez to tap into if he shifts his intent from a contact-oriented approach to one where he tries to drive certain pitches for extra-base damage. Lopez has primarily played shortstop with his slightly above-average speed and average arm strength, but he will be stretched to play there every day at higher levels. He has played second base and the outfield, as well.

THE FUTURE: Lopez's future may involve playing multiple positions. He has a chance to be an everyday player if he's able to hit for more power in games.
TRACK RECORD: The Blue Jays signed Lopez out of the Dominican Republic for $60,000 in 2016. He had a low profile until 2019, when he won the batting title in the low Class A Midwest League in his full-season debut.

SCOUTING REPORT: Lopez doesn’t have flashy tools, so he doesn’t jump out immediately, but he’s a baseball rat and a gamer with a knack for barreling baseballs. Lopez has good bat control with a linedrive, all-fields approach. While it doesn’t show in his numbers, Lopez is strong and has at least average raw power. There’s more untapped power potential if Lopez can make an adjustment to his approach. He generally shows a sound feel for the strike zone, though there are times he could be more selective. Lopez spent most of his time at shortstop, though he played some second base and corner outfield as well. BA GRADE 55 Risk: Very High BA GRADE 55 Risk: Extreme BA GRADE 50 Risk: High

THE FUTURE: Moving around the diamond may be his role going forward, as his defense might be stretched thin as an everyday shortstop, with average speed and arm strength. High Class A Dunedin should be his next step.
TRACK RECORD: The Blue Jays signed Lopez out of the Dominican Republic for $60,000 in 2016. He had a low profile until 2019, when he won the batting title in the low Class A Midwest League in his full-season debut.

SCOUTING REPORT: Lopez doesn't have flashy tools, so he doesn't jump out immediately, but he's a baseball rat and a gamer with a knack for barreling baseballs. Lopez has good bat control with a linedrive, all-fields approach. While it doesn't show in his numbers, Lopez is strong and has at least average raw power. There's more untapped power potential if Lopez can make an adjustment to his approach. He generally shows a sound feel for the strike zone, though there are times he could be more selective. Lopez spent most of his time at shortstop, though he played some second base and corner outfield as well.

THE FUTURE: Moving around the diamond may be his role going forward, as his defense might be stretched thin as an everyday shortstop, with average speed and arm strength. High Class A Dunedin should be his next step.
After seemingly working his way out of the shadows this season, Lopez even found a way to surprise his manager, Dallas McPherson. "He's definitely been under the radar all year," McPherson said. "I mean, he was fighting for the league batting title and didn't even make the all-star team or the post-season all-star team. I think that's someone who has definitely been overlooked throughout the whole season and has been probably our most valuable player." Lopez, 20, expertly managed the strike zone against Midwest League pitching, adding in deceptive power and a mature eye on the base path. "I liked him a lot," a scout said. "I liked the way he moved, the way he played, and I like the bat. His at-bat quality has to improve a bit, but for me, he was one of the best athletes on the field. He's small, but he's got some power and I think he's going to grow into that power."

Career Transactions

Miami Marlins activated SS Otto Lopez from the 10-day injured list.
Miami Marlins sent SS Otto Lopez on a rehab assignment to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Miami Marlins placed SS Otto Lopez on the 10-day injured list retroactive to July 1, 2024. Lower back inflammation.
Miami Marlins activated SS Otto Lopez from the paternity list.
Miami Marlins placed SS Otto Lopez on the paternity list.
Miami Marlins recalled SS Otto Lopez from Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Miami Marlins optioned SS Otto Lopez to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Miami Marlins claimed SS Otto Lopez off waivers from San Francisco Giants.
SS Otto Lopez roster status changed by San Francisco Giants.
San Francisco Giants designated SS Otto Lopez for assignment.
Sacramento River Cats activated SS Otto Lopez.
Toronto Blue Jays transferred SS Otto Lopez from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Left oblique strain.
Buffalo Bisons placed SS Otto Lopez on the 7-day injured list.
Toronto Blue Jays optioned SS Otto Lopez to Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays optioned SS Otto Lopez to Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays recalled SS Otto Lopez from Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays recalled SS Otto Lopez from Buffalo Bisons.
SS Otto Lopez roster status changed by Buffalo Bisons.
Buffalo Bisons activated SS Otto Lopez.
SS Otto Lopez roster status changed by Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays optioned SS Otto Lopez to Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays reassigned SS Otto Lopez to the minor leagues.
Canada activated SS Otto Lopez.