Nicky Lopez Bio
Nicholas Lopez (born March 13, 1995) is an American professional baseball player who serves as a shortstop and second baseman in the Colorado Rockies organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and Chicago Cubs. Drafted by the Royals in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB draft, Lopez made his MLB debut in 2019 and has spent his career as a contact-oriented infielder known for his defensive reliability.
Across his MLB career, Lopez has appeared at shortstop, second base, and even on the mound in mop-up duty, showcasing his versatility. He represented the Italy national baseball team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, adding international experience to his resume.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Lopez was born on March 13, 1995, in Naperville, Illinois. He grew up in the same Chicago suburb that shaped his early athletic life and attended Naperville Central High School. As a senior in 2013, he batted .398, establishing himself as one of the more polished high school hitters in the region. His performance at Naperville Central earned him a place in the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame, an honor he received on January 26, 2024.
After completing high school, Lopez enrolled at Creighton University, where he played three seasons of college baseball for the Bluejays. His development at Creighton helped him mature into a professional prospect, and his junior campaign positioned him for selection in the 2016 MLB draft.
Path to Professional Baseball
Lopez spent his final college season at Creighton in 2016, hitting .306 with two home runs and 22 RBIs across 55 games. That production caught the attention of MLB scouts, and the Kansas City Royals selected him in the fifth round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. The selection marked his transition from amateur baseball to the professional ranks.
He made his professional debut with the Burlington Royals in 2016 and quickly worked his way through Kansas City’s minor league system. By demonstrating consistent contact hitting and defensive versatility, Lopez positioned himself as a future utility option at the major league level.
Nicky Lopez Career
Early Career (2016–2018)
Lopez opened his professional career with the Burlington Royals in 2016, batting .281 with six home runs, 29 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases in 62 games. The following season, he split time between the Wilmington Blue Rocks and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, combining for a .279 average, two home runs, 38 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases in 129 games. He capped the year with an assignment to the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League.
In 2018, Lopez began the year with Northwest Arkansas and was promoted to the Omaha Storm Chasers in June. Across 130 total games between the two affiliates, he batted .308/.382/.417 with nine home runs and 53 RBIs, cementing his status as a rising prospect in the Royals system.
Kansas City Royals (2019–2023)
Lopez began 2019 with Omaha, and on May 14 his contract was selected and he was called up to the major leagues for the first time. He made his debut that night against the Texas Rangers. During the shortened 2020 season, he batted .201 with one home run and 13 RBIs in 56 games, posting the lowest slugging percentage among qualified American League hitters at .266. That winter, he was nominated for the Gold Glove at second base, though he ultimately lost out to César Hernández of Cleveland.
In 2021, Lopez switched his uniform number from No. 1 to No. 8 to allow Jarrod Dyson to wear No. 1, and he briefly was optioned to Triple-A Omaha before an injury to Adalberto Mondesí pushed him back into the starting shortstop role. He finished the year with 78 runs, 43 RBIs, 22 stolen bases, and a .300 batting average, becoming the first regular Royals shortstop to bat .300 or better in a season. Defensively, he led all qualifying AL shortstops with a .987 fielding percentage.
Atlanta Braves (2023)
On July 30, 2023, the Royals traded Lopez to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Taylor Hearn. He wasted little time making an impression, recording four hits including a three-run home run in his first start on August 12, and he even finished the game on the mound with a scoreless ninth inning during a 21–3 victory over the New York Mets. His brief Braves stint demonstrated his offensive upside and his willingness to contribute in any role.
Chicago White Sox (2024)
On November 16, 2023, the Braves traded Lopez to the Chicago White Sox as part of a package for Aaron Bummer. In 2024, he played 124 games for Chicago, slashing .241/.312/.294 with one home run, 21 RBI, and five stolen bases. On November 12, 2024, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, but he rejected the assignment and elected free agency.
Los Angeles Angels and Cubs (2025)
On March 25, 2025, Lopez signed a major league contract with the Los Angeles Angels and made his debut on Opening Day in unusual fashion, appearing as a relief pitcher during a blowout against the Chicago White Sox. In four games for the Angels, he went 0-for-6 before being designated for assignment on April 18 and clearing waivers the next day. On April 23, 2025, he signed a major league contract with the Chicago Cubs, going 1-for-18 with one RBI and four walks in 14 appearances before being designated for assignment on May 19 and electing free agency on May 21.
Lopez continued his 2025 journey with minor league deals, signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 27 and batting .267/.303/.317 with seven RBI across 24 games for the Triple-A Reno Aces before triggering an opt-out clause on July 1. He then signed with the New York Yankees on July 3, batting .263/.338/.333 with six RBI and four stolen bases in 17 appearances for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders before opting out on August 2. On August 9, he returned to the Cubs organization, hitting .270/.402/.350 with seven RBI in 29 games for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs before electing free agency on November 6.
Colorado Rockies (2025–Present)
On December 1, 2025, Lopez signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies that included an invitation to spring training. The move positioned him for an opportunity to compete for a role in the organization’s middle-infield mix.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Lopez’s signature moments came on August 12, 2023, when he recorded four hits including a three-run homer and pitched a scoreless ninth inning during a 21–3 rout of the New York Mets. In 2021, he became the first regular Royals shortstop to bat .300 or better in a season, a milestone that underscored his contact-hitting profile.
Nicky Lopez Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Lopez grew up in Naperville, Illinois, and his connection to that community remains strong, as reflected by his 2024 induction into the Naperville Central High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He has represented his Italian heritage by playing for the Italy national baseball team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was one of constant movement for Lopez, who appeared at the major league level with both the Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago Cubs while also logging time in the minors with three organizations. Across his MLB appearances, he served in a utility role, contributing at shortstop, second base, and on the mound, though his offensive production was limited by small sample sizes.
His minor league stints in 2025 showed he could still produce at the Triple-A level, posting a .402 on-base percentage with the Iowa Cubs and a .338 on-base percentage with the RailRiders. The opt-outs he triggered reflected a desire to seek a clearer path back to the majors.
Lopez closed the year by signing a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies that included a spring training invitation. The agreement gives him a chance to compete for a roster spot and re-establish himself as a versatile infielder at the big league level.