Arizona Diamondbacks: Yoan López is a survivor

Miles away from his homeland, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Yoan Lopez thought about abandoning the sport. Thankfully, he stayed and is ready to deal.

HIALEAH, FL – Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Yoan Lopez almost gave up baseball early in his career because he was homesick. His story was similar to a young Cleveland Indians pitcher Roberto Hernández who packed things up and returned to Cuba.

But unlike Hernández, López decided to fight through adversity and eventually triumphed in his new homeland.

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His first year in pro-ball was a hard one. He had been typecast as a starter and it just wasn’t his niche. The young fireballer went 2-6 and only struck out 38 batters in 54 innings. This isn’t what the Arizona Diamondbacks envisioned when they signed him to a lofty eight million dollar bonus in 2015.

Lopez was resigned and went AWOL once during that season and again during the next one, sighting he was having trouble adjusting to American culture.

“My leaving the team on two separate occasions had to do with lack of maturity.  A lot of young people out on their own for the first time go through this.”

A switch to the Bullpen

In 2017 Lopez came back reinvigorated and with a sense of purpose,  a move to the bullpen also gave him new life and might have opened the path to “the show”. As a reliever, he posted a record of 2-0 and an ERA of 0.88 in Visalia (A+).

That was the turning point in Yoan Lopez’s career, “I’m not one to abandon something I’ve already started. I never lost my love for the game, it never left my heart.”

In 2018 he started the season at Jackson (AA) and was the team’s closer saving 12 games with a 2.92 earned run average. That output earned him a call up to the Majors.

“The switch from being a starter to a reliever made me feel more comfortable. I worked a lot on my command and my aggressiveness against hitters. I even worked on my velocity a little. All these adjustments were the key to my success.”

Welcome to the Majors

On September 9th he was called up to the big leagues but had a rough start in his first outing. He was touched for two hits including two long balls.

After that he found his footing not allowing a run in his next nine appearances. He finished that season with a 3.00 ERA and a SO/9 ratio of 11.0.

“My goal was to make the majors and thank God I accomplished it. I worked hard at my craft and gave it my 110 percent. I was also able to stay healthy and that played a big part in my accomplishment.”

López had a Jekyll and Hyde second season, although he had a 3.41 earned run average, 21 holds and a 1.14 WHIP, he also blew three saves in four tries, lost seven games and gave up 11 homers.

Working with a Legend

This off-season Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Yoan Lopez spent the whole time working with Maels Rodríguez on his mechanics. Knowing Rodríguez and the stickler for details that he is, expect a big season out of López.

You have to respect the kid from the Isle of Youth, Cuba who almost walked away from his country’s pastime twice, yet still had the resolve to stay the course and triumph. To anyone who has a heart this definitely a feel-good story.

“The two times I almost left were during tough times. I think these things occurred because I wanted to triumph and couldn’t. But when I returned I came back with more strength and desire.”