Lopez Picked up by Padres
December 16, 2015 - Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
Marion, Ill. - The Southern Illinois Miners are proud to announce that right-handed pitcher Adam Lopez has been picked up by the San Diego Padres, making him the 43rd former Miner to be signed by a Major League organization as well as the fifth in 2015.
The 6'5" right-hander from Fredericksburg, Virginia joined the Miners last offseason after three seasons with the Chicago White Sox and the result was immediate dominance. In his first three starts, Lopez won them all and surrendered just one total earned run in 22 innings on 11 total hits, just one of which was for extra bases. He struck out 18 and walked only four in that span, leading to him being picked up by the Seattle Mariners in late May.
But that was not the end of Lopez's time in Southern Illinois, as he had his playing rights returned to the Miners shortly thereafter. Undaunted, he continued to dominate the Frontier League, finishing the season with an unblemished 10-0 record and a 1.86 ERA, striking out 103 while walking only 35 and allowing just 65 hits in 96 2/3 innings despite missing two turns in the Miners rotation following his selection by the Mariners. For his efforts, he was named Frontier League Pitcher of the Year, the second straight Miner and fourth all-time to win the award (Ryan Bird- 2008, Joe Augustine- 2010, Matt Bywater- 2014). The Miners also won every single game he started in the regular season, and at season's end his 10 wins tied for second in the league while his 1.86 ERA was tops among active qualifying pitchers and his 103 punchouts placed fifth in the circuit.
He is also the fifth former Miner to join the Padres organization, after John Nester (2014), Tyler Stubblefield (2013), Jason Adams (2010) and Ryan Quigley (2008).
"We could not be happier for Adam," Miners manager Mike Pinto said. "He had a tremendous season on the mound for us and this opportunity is so very deserved. There is the possibility of huge things ahead for him. Not only is Adam a talented pitcher, he is an outstanding teammate and was a great ambassador of the Miners organization. Adam will always be part of the Miners' family."
Be sure to follow the Miners this offseason at southernillinoisminers.com and also on social media on Facebook and Twitter (@SIMiners) as they prepare for 2016!
The Southern Illinois Miners are the back-to-back Frontier League East Division Champions and the 2012 Frontier League Champions. They have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year award three times since their inception, and also set a new Frontier League attendance record in 2007, their inaugural season. For ticket information, contact the Rent One Park box office at 618-998-8499. For any additional information, visit our website at www.southernillinoisminers.com.
Frontier League Stories from December 16, 2015
- DeBlieux Returns to Bolster 2016 Roster - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Lopez Picked up by Padres - Southern Illinois Miners
- Rascals to Host Carpenter and La Russa - River City Rascals
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