Photo by: Mark Kuhlmann
Baseball's Nicky Lopez Taken in the 5th Round by the Kansas City Royals
6/10/2016 3:37:00 PM | Baseball
Omaha, Neb. - Junior shortstop Nicky Lopez was selected in the fifth round of the MLB Draft on Friday, June 10th by the Kansas City Royals.
An All-BIG EAST Second Team selection, Lopez closed the 2016 season with a .306 average. He collected 60 hits, including 11 doubles, five triples and two home runs. Nicky swiped 11 of 13 bases and sparkled in the field with a .975 fielding percentage.
"The fun is just beginning, though," added Lopez. "Now its time to put in the work to become a major league baseball player."
The Bluejays finished the 2016 season with a 38-17 record, just missing an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament.
Lopez is the 21st selection in the MLB draft during Ed Servais era of Bluejay baseball, since 2004. He is Creighton's highest draft pick since Ryan Gripp signed with the Chicago Cubs in the third round (No. 110 overall) in the 1999 season. The last Bluejay selected in the fifth round was Ty Blach, selected 178th overall by the San Francisco Giants in 2012.
"I had a pretty good feeling that the Royals were interested after going to work out for them, but I didn't officially find out until my name was called," said Lopez. "When I heard my name, I was at home with my family (Chicagoland area). So many emotions flooded in once I was drafted, I am both happy and relieved that all the hard work I've put in has paid off."An All-BIG EAST Second Team selection, Lopez closed the 2016 season with a .306 average. He collected 60 hits, including 11 doubles, five triples and two home runs. Nicky swiped 11 of 13 bases and sparkled in the field with a .975 fielding percentage.
"The fun is just beginning, though," added Lopez. "Now its time to put in the work to become a major league baseball player."
The Bluejays finished the 2016 season with a 38-17 record, just missing an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament.
Players Mentioned
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Jim Hendry & Alan Benes (4/11/11)
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Ambidextrous Pitcher
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