Rafael Manuel Lopez (born October 2, 1987) is an American

professional baseball Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in baseball league, leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world. Mod ...

catcher Catcher is a Baseball positions, position in baseball and softball. When a Batter (baseball), batter takes their at bat, turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the (home plate, home) Umpire (baseball), umpire, and recei ...

who is a free agent. He has played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

(MLB) for the

Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...

Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...

Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since 1989, the team has played its home games ...

, and San Diego Padres.

Career

Chicago Cubs

Lopez attended Summit Christian High School in

Wellington, Florida Wellington is a village just west of West Palm Beach in Palm Beach County and north of Miami. As of 2019, the city had a population of 65,398 according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, making it the most populous village in the state. It is the ...

, and

Florida State University Florida State University (FSU) is a public research university in Tallahassee, Florida. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida. Founded in 1851, it is located on the oldest continuous site of higher education in the st ...

, where he played

college baseball College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. In comparison to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a smaller role in developing professional pl ...

for the

Florida State Seminoles The Florida State Seminoles are the athletic teams representing Florida State University located in Tallahassee, Florida. They compete as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level (Football Bowl Subdivis ...

. The

selected Lopez in the 16th round of the

2011 Major League Baseball draft The 2011 Major League Baseball draft was held from June 6 through June 8, 2011, from Studio 42 of the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Gerrit Cole out of the University of California, Los Angeles, with the first ...

. Lopez was called up to the majors for the first time on September 2, 2014. He was optioned to the Triple-A

Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are located in Des Moines, Iowa, and are named for their Major League Baseball (MLB) affiliate. The ...

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 The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team ha ...

in exchange for pitching prospect Manuel Rondon on July 3, 2015. He was released by the Angels on December 23, 2015.

Detroit Tigers

Lopez signed with the

Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...

organization on January 4, 2016. He was assigned to the

Toledo Mud Hens The Toledo Mud Hens are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. They are located in Toledo, Ohio, and play their home games at Fifth Third Field. A Mud Hens team has played in ...

on January 12, and released on April 2.

Cincinnati Reds

On May 3, 2016, Lopez signed a minor league deal with the

. He was brought up to the major league squad on August 27. On October 10, he was outrighted off the 40-man roster to the Triple-A

Louisville Bats The Louisville Bats are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. They are located in Louisville, Kentucky, and are named in dual reference to the bat, win ...

. On November 7, 2016, Lopez elected free agency.

Toronto Blue Jays

On February 16, 2017, Lopez signed a minor league deal with the

. On August 4, Lopez was called up to the majors to replace the injured

Miguel Montero Miguel Angel Montero Fernandez (born July 9, 1983) is a Venezuelan-American former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, and Washington Nationals ...

. Lopez hit his first Major League home run in a 7–6 win over the

Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. Since its inception ...

on August 23. He was outrighted to Triple-A on November 6, 2017, and elected free agency later that day.

San Diego Padres

On December 7, 2017, Lopez signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. His contract was purchased by the Padres on March 28, 2018, and he was assigned to the Opening Day roster. Lopez was recalled from the El Paso Chihuahuas on May 1.

Atlanta Braves

On November 1, 2018, Lopez was traded to the

Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...

in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. On March 22, 2019, after appearing in spring training with the Braves, Lopez was assigned to Triple-A affiliate Gwinnett Stripers to begin the 2019 season. Six days later, the Braves designated Lopez for assignment. Lopez was outrighted on April 4, 2019. He elected free agency following the 2019 season.

References

External links

Florida State Seminoles bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lopez, Rafael 1987 births Living people American expatriate baseball players in Canada Arizona League Cubs players Baseball players from Philadelphia Boise Hawks players Bridgeport Bluefish players Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players Chicago Cubs players Cincinnati Reds players Daytona Cubs players El Paso Chihuahuas players Florida State Seminoles baseball players Gwinnett Stripers players Indian River State Pioneers baseball players Indios de Mayagüez players Iowa Cubs players Louisville Bats players Major League Baseball catchers New Hampshire Fisher Cats players Peoria Chiefs players Salt Lake Bees players San Diego Padres players Toronto Blue Jays players Tennessee Smokies players Madison Mallards players