Diamondbacks Sign Veteran Infielder to Minor League Contract

The D-backs shore up their minor league infield depth by signing Nicky Lopez to replace Ildemaro Vargas

May 2, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Nicky Lopez (12) throws out Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (not pictured) in the third inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed veteran infielder Nicky Lopez to a minor league contract. He will provide depth in Triple-A Reno, filling in the roster spot vacated by Ildemaro Vargas, who recently opted out of his minor league deal.

Lopez was drafted as a shortstop in the fifth round by the Kansas City Royals in the 2016 amaetur draft. Born in Naperville IL, he attended Creighton University.

The infielder made his major league debut in 2019, and broke out in 2021 batting .301/.365/.378, .744 OPS, good for a 104 OPS+. Lopez did all the little things right that year too, registering +5 fielding runs and +7 baserunning runs, including 22-for-23 in stolen base attempts. He was a 4.4-WAR player that year according to Baseball-Reference.

Unfortunately he's never come close to that performance since, tallying just 1.3 WAR in his other six seasons. For his career he's hit .245/.310/.311, .621 OPS in 2,374 plate appearances. He is a contact hitter who has struck out just 14.3% of his plate appearances, but has only seven career homers.

Traded to the Chicago White Sox prior to the 2024, he was part of a dismal, record-setting 121-loss season. He played more second base than shortstop last year, and for good reason, as he registered -9 fielding runs in just 39 games at short. Lopez was signed and released by both the Angels and Cubs so far this season.

For his career Lopez has been a +7 defender at second base and +6 at third base, but -11 at shortstop. With the middle infield thinned out in Reno by Jordan Lawlar's promotion and Vargas' departure, Lopez will get plenty of opportunities to play in the Pacific Coast League and try to work his way back to the major leagues.

That will only come with Arizona if there are multiple injuries however. The next man up on the depth chart should be Blaze Alexander, who is hitting .250 with an .802 OPS for Reno. He's played shortstop, third base, and center field.