For all 2016 Prospect Ranking Scouting Reports – click here (these will come out one a day over the offseason).
The Cincinnati Reds drafted Jose Lopez in the 6th round of the 2014 draft, but he was recovering from Tommy John surgery and wasn’t ready to pitch until the 2015 season. He would head out to join the Billings Mustangs when their season began. Lopez would pitch out of the bullpen in his first outing, retiring the only two batters that he faced. Five days later he would join the starting rotation, allowing just one hit and two walks in 3.0 innings with four strikeouts. In his final outing of June he would struggle, allowing four runs in 2.1 innings with three walks and four strikeouts. In 6.0 innings stretched over three appearances he would post a 6.00 ERA with five walks and eight strikeouts.
July started out a little better, but was still a bit of a struggle. Against Helena, the right hander allowed three runs in 4.0 innings with a walk and five strikeouts. Six days later he would take on Orem and only allow one run in 3.0 innings, but he walked four batters with just two strikeouts. Another six days later he would take on Orem again, but this time in Billings. Lopez threw two shutout innings with two walks and a strikeout. In his fourth start of the month the righty would take on Grand Junction and allowed three earned in 4.0 innings with a strikeout. The final time the former Seton Hall pitcher would take the mound in July would be his best start of the month as he’d allow two runs over 5.0 innings with seven strikeouts. He would post a 4.50 ERA in 18.0 innings on the month with seven walks and 16 strikeouts.
Building upon his previous start, August got out to a strong start as Lopez tossed 4.0 shutout frames with two walks and eight strikeouts against Missoula. That was followed up by 5.0 shutout innings with a walk and with seven strikeouts. Six days later came another 5.0 innings with no earned runs, a walk and five more punch outs In his fourth start of the month he’d finally allow an earned run. Missoula would get one run in 4.0 innings with a walk and four strikeouts. On the 26th Great Falls would score two runs in 7.0 innings without a walk and they would strike out eight times. Helena would put a damper on a great month by scoring four runs against Lopez in just one inning of work on the 31st. Six days later he would get his revenge as Helena traveled to Billings and the right hander would allow just one hit and one walk over 7.0 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts to end his season on a high note. Over his final seven starts he would post a 1.91 ERA in 33.0 innings with just seven walks and with 43 strikeouts.
The Reds were clearly being protective of his arm early in the season, limiting his pitch count and innings as he was coming off of Tommy John surgery. At the midway point of the season though he really turned things around as he was downright dominate over his last eight starts for the Mustangs. Getting back into the groove of things and being allowed to go deeper in games really worked out in the second half of the season.
| ERA | IP | H | HR | BB | K | WHIP |
| 3.16 | 57.0 | 53 | 4 | 19 | 67 | 1.26 |
Scouting Report
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Fastball | Earlier in the season he was working in the low 90’s with his fastball, but would occasionally touch 95. By the end of the season he was working 92-94 and hitting 95 regularly.
Slider | The pitch was inconsistent throughout the season, particularly early in the year, but it flashes itself as above-average and became more consistent throughout the year.
Change Up | It’s a clear third pitch. It’s not one he goes to much at this point, but it’s got a chance to be an average offering in the future.
There’s plenty of upside with Jose Lopez. He’s been up to 98 MPH with his fastball in the past (before Tommy John surgery) and began picking up velocity throughout the season as he built up his innings. Finding his control in the second half of the season was a big step forward as well, allowing him to use his slider more often as he got ahead of hitters.
While he has cleaned up his mechanics some since he was in college, there is still some effort in his delivery. He has the pitches to remain a starter, and the Reds will keep him there to develop. Improving his change up will be key, as will keeping his mechanics under control both in terms of repeatability to allow him to throw strikes consistently as well as minimizing the risk for injury. If he has to eventually head to the bullpen, he’s sat 96-98 in one inning stints prior to his Tommy John surgery, so there’s plenty to work with if that’s down the line.
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