Nicholas Lopez Bio
Nicholas Lopez (born March 13, 1995) is an American professional baseball shortstop and second baseman who has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for multiple organizations. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB draft and made his MLB debut with them in 2019. Lopez has represented Italy internationally at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Early Life and Background
Nicholas Lopez was born on March 13, 1995, in Naperville, Illinois. He attended Naperville Central High School in his hometown, where he developed as a baseball player. During his senior season in 2013, Lopez showcased his hitting ability by batting .398. His high school performance earned him recognition, and he was later inducted into the Naperville Central High School Athletic Hall of Fame in January 2024.
After graduating from high school, Lopez continued his baseball career at the collegiate level. He enrolled at Creighton University and played college baseball for the Bluejays. During his junior season in 2016, Lopez hit .306 with two home runs and 22 RBIs in 55 games. His productive college career positioned him well for the professional ranks.
Path to Professional Baseball
Following his standout junior season at Creighton University, Lopez entered the 2016 MLB draft. The Kansas City Royals selected him in the fifth round, marking his transition from amateur to professional baseball. He signed with the Royals and began his professional career in their farm system that same year.
Nicholas Lopez Career
Minor League Development (2016–2019)
Lopez made his professional debut with the Burlington Royals in 2016. He spent the entire season there, posting a .281 batting average with six home runs, 29 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases in 62 games. The following season in 2017, he advanced through the Royals system, playing for both the Wilmington Blue Rocks and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. He combined to bat .279 with two home runs, 38 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases across 129 games.
In 2018, Lopez continued his development with Northwest Arkansas before earning a promotion to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers in June. He excelled at the Triple-A level, batting .308 with a .382 on-base percentage and .417 slugging percentage, adding nine home runs and 53 RBIs in 130 total games between the two clubs.
Kansas City Royals (2019–2023)
Lopez began the 2019 season with Omaha before receiving his first major league call-up on May 14. He made his MLB debut that night against the Texas Rangers. He appeared in 52 games during his rookie campaign, batting .215 with two home runs and 14 RBIs.
The 2020 season presented challenges for Lopez, as he batted just .201 with one home run and 13 RBIs in 56 games. Despite the offensive struggles, he was nominated for the Gold Glove Award at second base. He led the American League in being hit by pitches with eight and ranked among the league leaders in several defensive categories.
2021 proved to be a breakthrough season. During spring training, Lopez switched his uniform number from No. 1 to No. 8 to accommodate Jarrod Dyson. When shortstop Adalberto Mondesí suffered an injury in the final spring game, Lopez earned the starting shortstop role to begin the regular season. He responded with his best professional season, batting .300 with 78 runs, 43 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases. He became the first regular Royals shortstop to bat .300 or better in a season. Defensively, he led all qualifying American League shortstops with a .987 fielding percentage.
Lopez remained with the Royals through the 2023 season, continuing to provide defensive versatility and baserunning value.
Atlanta Braves (2023)
On July 30, 2023, the Royals traded Lopez to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Taylor Hearn. In his first start for Atlanta on August 12, Lopez recorded four hits, including a 3-run home run, and also pitched a scoreless ninth inning in a 21-3 victory against the New York Mets. He finished the 2023 season with the Braves, contributing to their roster during their playoff run.
Chicago White Sox (2024)
On November 16, 2023, the Braves traded Lopez to the Chicago White Sox as part of a multiplayer deal. He played in 124 games for Chicago in 2024, slashing .241/.312/.294 with one home run, 21 RBIs, and five stolen bases. On November 12, 2024, Lopez was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Charlotte, but he rejected the assignment and elected free agency.
Los Angeles Angels (2025)
On March 25, 2025, Lopez signed a major league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He made his Angels debut on Opening Day in an unusual manner, appearing as a relief pitcher during a blowout game versus the Chicago White Sox. In four games for the Angels, he went 0-for-6 at the plate. Los Angeles designated Lopez for assignment on April 18, and he cleared waivers before electing free agency the following day.
Chicago Cubs (2025)
On April 23, 2025, Lopez signed with the Chicago Cubs on a major league contract. In 14 appearances for Chicago, he went 1-for-18 with one RBI and four walks. The Cubs designated him for assignment on May 19, and he cleared waivers before electing free agency on May 21.
Colorado Rockies (2025–Present)
Following his time with the Cubs, Lopez continued to move through organizations. On May 27, 2025, he signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks and played 24 games for their Triple-A Reno Aces affiliate, batting .267. He triggered an opt-out clause and was released in July. Lopez then signed with the New York Yankees in early July, appearing in 17 games for their Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders before opting out of his contract in August.
Lopez returned to the Cubs organization in August 2025, signing another minor league deal. He made 29 appearances for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, batting .270 with seven RBIs. He elected free agency following the season.
On December 1, 2025, Lopez signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies that included an invitation to spring training. He played 15 games for the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, batting .333 with one home run, eight RBIs, and two stolen bases. His strong spring performance positioned him for consideration for a major league roster spot in 2026.
Nicholas Lopez Career Highlights
Throughout his MLB career, Lopez has appeared in over 300 major league games across five organizations. He has established himself as a defensive asset at both shortstop and second base, earning recognition for his fielding percentage and baserunning ability. His best offensive season came in 2021 with the Royals when he became the first regular Royals shortstop to bat .300 or better in a season.
Through June 2026, Lopez has career MLB statistics of a .247 batting average, eight home runs, and 159 RBIs. His ability to play multiple positions and contribute in various facets of the game has kept him in demand despite offensive inconsistencies at the major league level. Internationally, he represented Italy at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, gaining valuable experience on the global stage.
Nicholas Lopez Family
Nicholas Lopez was born and raised in Naperville, Illinois, where he attended Naperville Central High School. His family background and any potential baseball lineage in his family are not extensively documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Lopez continues to maintain his professional baseball career while moving between organizations. His personal life details, including marital status or family information, are not publicly documented in available sources. He remains focused on his career as he seeks a consistent role at the major league level.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a period of transition and opportunity for Lopez. After beginning the year with the Angels, he appeared in just four games before being designated for assignment and electing free agency. He joined the Cubs in April but struggled offensively in his brief major league stint, going 1-for-18. The Cubs removed him from their roster in May, leading Lopez to pursue other opportunities in the minor leagues.
Throughout the summer, Lopez shuttled between organizations, signing minor league deals with Arizona, New York, and returning to Chicago. He showed better results at the Triple-A level, particularly during his second stint with Iowa, where he batted .270 in 29 games. His performance with the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate demonstrated his ability to hit at the minor league level.
Lopez finished the 2025 season strong with Colorado’s organization, batting .333 in 15 games with Albuquerque. This performance earned him a legitimate chance to secure a major league roster spot entering 2026. His spring training with the Rockies will be crucial as he aims to earn everyday playing time at the sport’s highest level.