Prospect Profile: #23 Los Angeles Angels Eduar Lopez

[AngelsWin.com]

Bats: Right Throws: Right Height: 6’0” 180 lbs. DOB: 2/21/95

(DSL-Angels): 6-3, 3.84 ERA, 42 BBs, 83 Ks, 62.1 IP

 

Signed on February 29, 2012, this young Dominican pitcher has been more than just a leap year fluke. In 2013, Eduar led the DSL league with 83 Ks, or 11.98 Ks/9 IP. This is the second year in a row where he has dominated hitters, having struck out 83 batters in 53.1 as a 17 year-old in 2012.

 

Eduar attacks hitters with a low-90s fastball that tops out at 93. He has a wicked curve with late break and a developing changeup. With these pitches, he was able to get runners to ground out 48.4% of the time last year. 

 

The two big questions with Eduar is how he will project and what role he will have. At barely 6’0”, Eduar is not the biggest presence on the mound. This, combined with his high K and ground ball rate have led some scouts to believe his future lies in the bullpen. At just 19, though, there’s no reason to move him out of the rotation yet.

 

Look for Eduar to get his first taste of baseball stateside this year. Due to his age, the Angels will most likely continue to limit his innings and workload. But, Eduar is an intriguing pitching candidate and a sign of the reinvigorated international scouting and development that the team has sorely needed.

[Angel Oracle]

Eduar wouldn't be the first 6 foot pitcher from Latin America to excel. The one that immediately jumps out is Pedro Martinez, who weighed just a buck sixty soaking wet even in his prime. If Eduar has a similar "the mound and plate are MY territories", and the change develops, he could be very intriguing.

Edited February 23, 2014 by Angel Oracle

[Docwaukee]

I would have to think a pedro comp is a little aggressive.  How about Krod? 

 

 Only 27 hits allowed in 62ip.  that curve must be filthy.  

[Chuck]

I would have to think a pedro comp is a little aggressive.  How about Krod? 

 

 Only 27 hits allowed in 62ip.  that curve must be filthy.  

 

I'd go conservative with Lopez only because we have so little data on him out of all the top 50 prospects.

 

Let's go with Ramon Ortiz for now and even that's aggressive. The stuff is there, but how will he do against the competition in A-AA ball?

[Angel Oracle]

Of course Pedro is an extreme comp. It was more to show that height/weight isn't a cure all.

[Hollyw00d]

eduar......do?

[Brent Maguire]

Haven't seen much on this guy. Based on the size and stuff, it looks like he should become a reliever. He has a long way to go though so I'll be interested to see what he does this year.