Raffy Lopez

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Raffy Lopez

|image = Rafael Lopez on July 10, 2014.jpg

|image_size =

|caption = Lopez with the Iowa Cubs in {{By|2014}}

|team =

|number =

|position = Catcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1987|10|2}}

|birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = September 2

|debutyear = 2014

|debutteam = Chicago Cubs

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate = July 20

|finalyear = 2018

|finalteam = San Diego Padres

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .184

|stat3label = Home runs

|stat3value = 7

|stat4label = Runs batted in

|stat4value = 26

|teams =

Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|2014}})
Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2016}})
Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2017}})
San Diego Padres ({{mlby|2018}})

|awards =

}}

Rafael Manuel Lopez (born October 2, 1987) is an American former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Diego Padres.

Career

=Chicago Cubs=

Lopez attended Summit Christian High School in Wellington, Florida, and Florida State University, where he played college baseball for the Florida State Seminoles. The Chicago Cubs selected Lopez in the 16th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.http://www.knoxnews.com/sports/rafael-lopez-keeping-busy-and-catching-on-with Rafael Lopez keeping busy and catching on with the Tennessee Smokies Lopez was called up to the majors for the first time on September 2, 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/raffy-lopez-607257|title=Raffy Lopez Stats, Fantasy & News|work=MLB.com|access-date=March 22, 2017}} He was optioned to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs on March 16, 2015, and designated for assignment on June 27.

=Los Angeles Angels=

The Cubs traded Lopez to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in exchange for pitching prospect Manuel Rondon on July 3, 2015. He was released by the Angels on December 23, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-rafael-lopez-released-by-angels/ |title=Angels' Rafael Lopez: Released by Angels |date=December 23, 2015 |access-date=August 27, 2016}}

=Detroit Tigers=

Lopez signed with the Detroit Tigers organization on January 4, 2016. He was assigned to the Toledo Mud Hens on January 12, and released on April 2.

=Cincinnati Reds=

On May 3, 2016, Lopez signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds. He was brought up to the major league squad on August 27.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-rafael-lopez-called-up-to-majors/ |title=Reds' Rafael Lopez: Called up to majors |date=August 27, 2016|access-date=August 27, 2016}} In 8 games for the Reds, Lopez went 0–for–7. On October 10, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outrigh to the Triple–A Louisville Bats. Lopez elected free agency following the season on November 7.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2016|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2016/|access-date=August 1, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2016 |language=en}}

=Toronto Blue Jays=

On February 16, 2017, Lopez signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/blue-jays-raffy-lopez-inks-minor-league-deal-with-toronto/|title=Blue Jays' Raffy Lopez: Inks minor league deal with Toronto|work=CBS Sports|author=|date=February 16, 2017|access-date=March 22, 2017}} On August 4, Lopez was called up to the majors to replace the injured Miguel Montero.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/blue-jays-raffy-lopez-gets-called-up-friday/|title=Blue Jays' Raffy Lopez: Gets called up Friday|work=CBSSports.com|access-date=2017-08-04|language=en}} Lopez hit his first Major League home run in a 7–6 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on August 23.{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Baseball/MLB/Toronto/2017/08/23/22747666.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824093051/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Baseball/MLB/Toronto/2017/08/23/22747666.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 24, 2017|title=Blue Jays blast 6 home runs in win over Rays|last=Longley|first=Rob|work=slam.canoe.com|date=August 23, 2017|access-date=August 23, 2017}} He was outrighted to Triple-A on November 6,{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-claim-right-hander-taylor-guerrieri-waivers-rays/|title=Blue Jays claim right-hander Taylor Guerrieri on waivers from Rays|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=Sportsnet|date=November 6, 2017|access-date=November 6, 2017}} and elected free agency later that day.{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-free-agents-2017/#lpGyPaUc3sYQQ0to.97|title=Minor League Free Agents 2017|last=Eddy|first=Matt|work=Baseball America|date=November 7, 2017|access-date=November 7, 2017}}

=San Diego Padres=

On December 7, 2017, Lopez signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/padres-raffy-lopez-inks-deal-with-padres/|title=Padres' Raffy Lopez: Inks deal with Padres|work=cbssports.com|date=December 7, 2017|access-date=December 7, 2017}} His contract was purchased by the Padres on March 28, 2018, and he was assigned to the Opening Day roster.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/padres-raffy-lopez-makes-opening-day-roster/|title=Padres' Raffy Lopez: Makes Opening Day roster|work=cbssports.com|date=March 28, 2018|access-date=March 29, 2018}} Lopez was recalled from the El Paso Chihuahuas on May 1.

=Atlanta Braves=

On November 1, 2018, Lopez was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.{{cite news |title=Braves acquire catcher Lopez from Padres |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/braves-acquire-catcher-raffy-lopez/c-300098160 |access-date=November 6, 2018 |work=MLB.com |date=November 1, 2018}} On March 22, 2019, after appearing in spring training with the Braves, Lopez was assigned to Triple-A affiliate Gwinnett Stripers to begin the season.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Minter tests shoulder by throwing live BP |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/aj-minter-on-mend-following-car-accident |access-date=March 29, 2019 |work=MLB.com |date=March 22, 2019}} Six days later, the Braves designated Lopez for assignment.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Braves set Opening Day roster vs. Phillies |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/braves-set-opening-day-roster |access-date=March 29, 2019 |work=MLB.com |date=March 28, 2019}} Lopez cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A on April 4. He elected free agency following the season.