Minor League Names To Know: Cuban Signees

May 14, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) makes a diving catch off a ball hit by St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (not pictured) in the first inning of the game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) makes a diving catch off a ball hit by St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (not pictured) in the first inning of the game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
4 of 6
Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Yoan Lopez, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

Who Is He?

Lopez was signed the same offseason as Yasmany Tomas by the Diamondbacks as they invested heavily in the island in one offseason. He made his debut for AA Mobile and had some injury issues that cut into his season and his effectiveness as he made a total of 11 appearances, 10 of them starts, throwing 54 innings with a 4.17 ERA and 1.35 WHIP between Mobile and one rehab start for the rookie-league team as he returned from his injury.

Lopez is not a strikeout artist, and he’s most likely going to be a guy who induces a lot of ground ball outs through a heavy fastball and a slider. He returned to Mobile this year, and thus far, the results have been somewhat better through 7 starts. He’s thrown 33 innings with a 3.82 ERA and 1.52 WHIP.

While Lopez may not profile to be the ace that some were attempting to sell him as when he was a free agent, he does have a very good ability to get ground outs, and that can be very useful in the back of the rotation or in the bullpen down the line.

Videos

Next: Rangers Double Machine