RADIO
Nicky Lopez 2022 Player Outlook: Should Provide A Decent Batting Average With 15-20 Steals
3 years agoKansas City Royals' second baseman Nicky Lopez struggled to start the season, hitting .227 with a 14.5K% over the team's first 48 games. In June, he caught fire, spraying the ball over the field, batting .333 over 66 plate appearances. After the All-Star break, the 26-year-old looked comfortable at the plate, slashing .330/.379/.423 and a .351 WOBA while swiping 14 of 15 bags through 70 games. Overall, he slashed .300/.365/.378 with two home runs, 43 RBI, 78 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases in 2021. His BAIP rose 87 points from 2020 to last season, making his .300 average unsustainable. Is he a .300 or .220 hitter (posted a .228 batting average in his first two seasons in the big leagues), or somewhere between? Lopez has no power but is projected to hit second for the Royals as he's shown the ability to get on base and be a threat on the basepaths with his 79 sprint speed. Steamer projects the Royals' second baseman to slash .267/.334/.359 with five home runs, 14 stolen bases, and 62 runs scored. According to RotoBaller's Expected Draft Values, Lopez's Steamer projection is below fair value at his current NFBC ADP of 228. Lopez should provide fantasy managers a decent batting average and around 15 steals, but not much else in 2022.
