Pablo Lopez: Cy Young Candidate
Photo courtesy of San Diego Union-Tribune
Pablo Lopez was acquired by the Minnesota Twins in the trade that would send INF Luis Arraez to the Marlins. Through much of season, Luis Arraez’s historic pursuit of breaking the single-season batting average record out-shined Lopez’s stellar season. Across 24 starts this year, Lopez has posted a 3.66 ERA with a career high K/9 of 10.97 & a BB/9 of 2.26. His WHIP is also at a career best of 1.09. His last start on August 12th versus the red-hot Phillies would be a great one, going six scoreless innings with seven K’s, four hits and one walk allowed.
Before his time with Minnesota, Lopez’s primary swing & miss pitch was his changeup. This year, Lopez has added the new-age sweeper to his repertoire to go along with the changeup, as well as a 4-seam fastball, sinker, and curveball. This sweeper has been the difference maker for Lopez’s success, holding hitters to a .189 batting average and a whiff % of 34.8.
Pablo Lopez should continue to pitch like an ace and finish the year strong, quite possibly getting himself into the Cy Young conversation.
