Nicky Lopez Bio
Nicholas Lopez (born March 13, 1995) is an American professional baseball utility player, listed as both a shortstop and a second baseman, who most recently joined the Texas Rangers organization. He has spent multiple seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), playing for the Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and Chicago Cubs. The Royals selected him in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB draft, and he reached the majors three years later in 2019.
Across his MLB career, Lopez has built a reputation as a contact hitter and a dependable defender, with a batting average of .246, eight home runs, and 158 runs batted in through June 20, 2026. He has played professionally in the United States and represented Italy in international competition.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Lopez was born on March 13, 1995, in Naperville, Illinois. He grew up in the Chicago suburbs and attended Naperville Central High School, where he developed into a promising middle-infield prospect. As a senior in 2013, he batted .398, a performance that helped draw the attention of college recruiters and Major League scouts. In recognition of his high school accomplishments, Naperville Central High School inducted Lopez into its Athletic Hall of Fame on January 26, 2024.
After completing high school, Lopez enrolled at Creighton University, where he played three seasons of college baseball for the Bluejays. During his junior year in 2016, he posted a .306 batting average with two home runs and 22 runs batted in across 55 games, showing the steady contact skills and defensive instincts that would later define his professional profile. His play at Creighton convinced the Kansas City Royals to select him in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB draft.
Path to Professional Baseball
Lopez began his professional career in 2016 with the Burlington Royals, the Royals’ rookie-level affiliate in the Appalachian League. He batted .281 with six home runs, 29 runs batted in, and 24 stolen bases in 62 games, an encouraging first full season that suggested both offensive potential and baserunning speed. The following year, he moved up the ladder, splitting 2017 between the Wilmington Blue Rocks of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals of the Class AA Texas League.
In 129 combined games across those two levels, Lopez hit .279 with two home runs, 38 runs batted in, and 24 stolen bases, posting a .704 on-base plus slugging percentage. That winter, the Royals assigned him to the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League, where he faced some of the top prospects in baseball. He opened 2018 back with Northwest Arkansas before earning a midseason promotion to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers, finishing the year with a .308 batting average, a .382 on-base percentage, a .417 slugging percentage, nine home runs, and 53 runs batted in across 130 games. His steady ascent through the minor leagues set the stage for his major league debut the following spring.
Nicky Lopez Career
Early Career (2016-2018)
Lopez’s professional journey began in the Appalachian League with Burlington in 2016, where his mix of contact hitting and speed immediately stood out. His .281 average, combined with 24 stolen bases, hinted at the offensive style that would later translate to the major leagues. Moving between Wilmington and Northwest Arkansas in 2017, he continued to refine his plate approach, drawing enough walks to pair his average with a strong on-base presence.
The 2018 season represented Lopez’s breakthrough in the upper minors, as he split the year between Northwest Arkansas and Omaha and batted .308 across 130 games. His performance that year earned him a spot on the Royals’ 40-man roster and positioned him for a major league opportunity in 2019.
Kansas City Royals Breakthrough (2019-2023)
Lopez opened 2019 with Omaha and earned his first call-up to the majors on May 14, 2019, when the Royals selected his contract. He debuted that night against the Texas Rangers, beginning a long tenure in Kansas City. In 2020, his first full major league season, he batted .201 with one home run and 13 runs batted in over 56 games, though he posted the lowest slugging percentage among qualified American League hitters at .266. Despite the offensive struggles, his defensive work at second base drew national recognition, and he was nominated for the Gold Glove Award after initially being left off the finalists list, ultimately losing out to Cleveland’s César Hernández.
The 2021 campaign marked a major turnaround. Lopez returned to shortstop after an injury to Adalberto Mondesí and emerged as one of the Royals’ most reliable hitters, finishing the year with 78 runs scored, 43 runs batted in, 22 stolen bases, and a .300 batting average. That average made him the first regular Royals shortstop to hit .300 or better in a season. He also led all qualifying American League shortstops with a .987 fielding percentage, reinforcing his value as a glove-first middle infielder.
Atlanta Braves Era (2023)
On July 30, 2023, the Royals traded Lopez to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for pitcher Taylor Hearn. His Atlanta debut on August 12 against the New York Mets became one of the most memorable games of his career. Lopez recorded four hits, including a three-run home run, and even finished the contest on the mound with a scoreless ninth inning during a 21-3 victory. The performance showcased the versatility and team-first attitude that have defined his professional path.
Chicago White Sox Era (2024)
On November 16, 2023, the Braves sent Lopez to the Chicago White Sox as part of a larger package that brought Aaron Bummer to Atlanta. He played in 124 games for the White Sox in 2024, slashing .241/.312/.294 with one home run, 21 runs batted in, and five stolen bases. On November 12, 2024, Chicago removed him from the 40-man roster and outrighted him to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, but Lopez rejected the assignment and elected free agency.
Los Angeles Angels Era (2025)
After a brief stint on a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs in early 2025, Lopez signed a major league contract with the Los Angeles Angels on March 25, 2025. His Angels debut on Opening Day came in unusual fashion, as he entered a blowout game against the Chicago White Sox as a relief pitcher. In four games with Los Angeles, he went 0-for-6 at the plate before being designated for assignment on April 18. He cleared waivers and elected free agency the following day.
Chicago Cubs Era (2025-2026)
Lopez signed a major league contract with the Chicago Cubs on April 23, 2025, and appeared in 14 games, going 1-for-18 with one run batted in and four walks. Designated for assignment on May 19, he cleared waivers and elected free agency two days later. After short minor league stints with the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees organizations, he returned to the Cubs on a minor league deal in August 2025. On April 23, 2026, he was traded back to the Cubs organization, had his contract selected the next day, and made four appearances before being designated for assignment on May 23. He cleared waivers and elected free agency once more on May 25.
Texas Rangers Era (2026-Present)
On May 27, 2026, Lopez signed a major league contract with the Texas Rangers, where he currently wears uniform No. 33. The move gave him a fresh opportunity in a new organization and reunited him with the American League after several National League stops. His experience at multiple positions and his Gold Glove-caliber defense continue to make him a valuable utility option in the Rangers’ clubhouse.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Lopez’s career came on August 12, 2023, when he hit a three-run homer and closed out a 21-3 win over the Mets by pitching a scoreless ninth inning for the Braves. He also made history in 2021 as the first regular Royals shortstop to bat .300 in a season, and he earned a Gold Glove nomination at second base in 2020 for his elite defensive work. In 2023, he represented Italy at the World Baseball Classic, adding an international appearance to his résumé.
Nicky Lopez Career Wins
Because Lopez is a position player rather than a pitcher, his win totals are measured by offensive and defensive achievements rather than victories on the mound. Across his MLB career through June 20, 2026, he has batted .246 with eight home runs and 158 runs batted in while appearing at shortstop, second base, and as a utility defender.
Other Performances
Lopez has been a steady contributor at the Triple-A level, including a .333/.387/.519 line with the Albuquerque Isotopes in 2026, where he added a home run, eight runs batted in, and two stolen bases in 15 games. He also batted .270 for the Iowa Cubs in 2025 and .267 for the Reno Aces earlier that same season, showing consistency whenever he has returned to the minors.
Nicky Lopez Family
Personal Life
Nicholas Lopez grew up in Naperville, Illinois, and has maintained ties to the Chicago area throughout his professional career. He is active on social media and remains connected to his hometown community, which honored him with induction into the Naperville Central High School Athletic Hall of Fame in January 2024.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was one of constant movement for Lopez, beginning with a minor league deal from the Cubs in February before a release in March. He signed with the Angels on March 25 and made his debut as a relief pitcher on Opening Day, an unusual role for a middle infielder. After four games with Los Angeles, he was designated for assignment and quickly caught on with the Cubs on a major league contract in late April.
His time with the Cubs was brief, as he was designated for assignment in mid-May and bounced through the minors with the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees organizations during the summer. He returned to the Cubs’ system in August on a minor league deal, posted a strong .270 average with the Iowa Cubs, and elected free agency after the season.
Heading into the next chapter of his career, Lopez signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies on December 1, 2025, that included an invitation to spring training. His versatility, Gold Glove-caliber defense, and contact-oriented bat continue to position him as a dependable utility option across MLB.
