Reynaldo López: An In-Depth Analysis of His MLB Career
Early Life and Career
Reynaldo Starling López Kely (born January 4, 1994) is a Dominican baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Atlanta Braves in Major League Baseball (MLB). He began his professional career in 2016 with the Washington Nationals, and has since played for the Chicago White Sox.
López was born and raised in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. He signed with the Nationals as an international free agent in 2010.
After spending several years in the Nationals' minor league system, López made his MLB debut with the team in 2016. He pitched in 11 games for the Nationals that season, posting a 4.66 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 48.1 innings pitched.
Traded to the White Sox (2016)
In December 2016, López was traded to the White Sox in a three-team deal that also involved the Nationals and Seattle Mariners. He spent the next four seasons with the White Sox, becoming a key member of their starting rotation.
In 2018, López had a breakout season, going 8-12 with a 3.71 ERA and 178 strikeouts in 213 innings pitched. He finished ninth in the American League Cy Young Award voting that season.
López continued to be a solid performer for the White Sox in the following seasons, but he struggled with injuries in 2020 and 2021.
Signed with the Braves (2023)
In December 2022, López signed a one-year contract with the Braves. He is expected to compete for a spot in the Braves' starting rotation in 2023.
Pitching Style
López is a right-handed pitcher who throws a four-seam fastball, a sinker, a changeup, and a curveball. His fastball averages around 93-95 mph, and his changeup is considered to be one of the best in the league.
López is known for his ability to generate ground balls, and he has a career ground ball rate of 51.2%. He also has good control of his pitches, and he has a career walk rate of 2.78 per nine innings pitched.
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