Kansas City Royals: Time for Nicky Lopez era to begin
As the Kansas City Royals continue to be lackluster, the fans turn their attention to the minor leagues and right now, it’s hard to find a hotter player at the plate than Nicky Lopez.
Since the Kansas City Royals aren’t the most exciting team to watch so far this season, each week, I’m going to focus on a player in the minor leagues and write about them. Last week I covered Jackson Kowar and how he’s been dynamite in the minors. This week, it’s Nicky Lopez‘s turn in the spotlight.
Lopez, a fifth round pick out of Creighton just three years ago, has flourished in the minor leagues. He’s scaled his way up the minor league ladder and at 24 years old, he’s showing that he’s ready to contribute at the major league level.
So far this season, Lopez is slashing .338/.400/.494 with two home runs and nine RBI in 77 at bats for the StormChasers (AAA). He’s also hit four doubles, one triple, and swiped three bags.
More from Kansas City Royals
- This Plus-Money Bobby Witt Jr. Prop Bet is on Fire (Hit in 15/21 Games)!
- The Royals Need to Extend Bobby Witt Jr. Immediately
- DraftKings + FanDuel Kansas Promos: INSTANT $150 Bonus Plus Two Chances to Win!
- 3 Royals Players Who Won’t Be on the Roster Next Year
- LAST CHANCE to Claim $250 GUARANTEED Bonus With FanDuel and DraftKings Kansas Promos!
What makes Lopez an intriguing player for the Royals to bring up (hopefully soon) is that he has experience at both shortstop and at second base. While Adalberto Mondesi is probably going to get most of the starts at shortstop, Lopez could easily be slotted in at second base and the Royals can get rid of Chris Owings or leave him on the bench.
With Whit Merrifield predominantly in right field this season, it makes perfect sense to bring Lopez up. Well, that and the fact that he’s absolutely raking in AAA. Before when Merrifield was mostly a second baseman, there wasn’t really a place for Lopez, but there appears to be a spot for him now and it’s at second base.
I get the service time argument – I really do – but the Royals can’t leave guys in the minors for that reason alone. It’s going to take these guys some time to get adjusted to major league pitchers, so Lopez will need a few years to be at the top of his game in order to help the Royals contend when they’re ready to do so.
Yes, that could be a few more years, but the point is that when it’s time for the Royals to win the big games, Lopez will have a few years under his belt.
Next. Top Ten Royals Rookie Seasons EVER. dark
With how quickly Lopez has progressed through the farm system, the Royals shouldn’t waste anymore time. Bring up Nicky Lopez and let him start to take his lumps in the big leagues.