Rhett
Lopez

Lopez continued a trend we've seen over multiple looks, turning in another consistent performance and reinforcing the traits that have stood out throughout his young career. Having previously seen him at the San Diego Preseason All-State and Inland Empire Freshman Free Showcase, the 2029 shortstop once again showed why he remains a player to follow in the region. Defensively, Lopez continues to look comfortable at shortstop, showing athletic lateral movements, confidence in his actions, and a strong understanding of the position. His arm remains one of the more notable tools in his game, reaching 84 mph across the diamond while consistently showing carry and intent on his throws. He ran a 7.40-second 60-yard dash, but his value is more evident in his defensive instincts and overall feel for the game. At the plate, Lopez posted a 93.8 mph max exit velocity with a peak distance of 325 feet. The swing remains one of the more intriguing parts of his profile, as he consistently takes aggressive swings while maintaining balance and repeatability throughout his round. There is clear intent behind the operation, but he remains under control and shows a good blend of power and contact. Overall, it was another strong showing from a player who continues to perform every time we see him. 

Rhett Lopez, Centennial High (CA), 2029
Positional Profile: SS/RHP Two-way player with a lift-oriented swing and a developing right-handed arm on the mound.
Body: 5-9, 167-pounds. Compact, athletic build with good proportions.
Delivery: Compact and controlled. Works with a simple move down the mound, staying balanced through release. Doesn’t generate big downhill plane, but repeats the motion and stays on line.
Arm Action: RH. Clean, shorter arm stroke with a consistent release. Arm works smoothly without visible effort, prioritizing repeatability.
FB: T80, 77-80 mph. Plays straight with modest ride. Best when commanded to the edges rather than challenged over the heart. Works as a setup pitch to get into secondary offerings. T1969, 1806 average rpm.
CH: 68-71 mph. Slower offering with visible separation. Shows arm-side fade and late dive. T2060, 1995 average rpm.
CUT: 67-69 mph. Distinct lateral movement. Ball shows late glove-side action, allowing him to change shapes and miss barrels.
ATH: 7.48 runner in the 60. 1.72 and 4.09 in the 10 and 30 yard splits.

Hit: RHH. Athletic posture and relaxed hands. Open stance with a flat barrel. Hands stay quiet while the lower half gathers. Stride is controlled and lands on time, allowing the barrel to release with speed. Barrel starts neutral and works quickly into the zone with a direct, slightly uphill path. Load is efficient, as swing finishes high, producing a fly-ball heavy contact profile. 64.8 mph bat speed with 17 G's of rotational acceleration.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 83.5 mph. 325' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-76 mph. OF-81 mph. INF: Short action, 3/4 slot, shows body control to finish plays on the move. OF: Longer circle, arm strength is steady with reliable accuracy to the bases.
Defense: INF: Quick first step with controlled lateral movement. Fields out front with soft hands and stays compact through the exchange. OF: Smooth routes with efficient strides. Gets to the ball on time and transitions quickly into throws.
ATH: 7.48 runner in the 60. 1.72 and 4.09 in the 10 and 30 yard splits.
Vizual Edge: 76.78 Edge Score

Lopez was a standout at the IE Rising Stars ID and nothing changed at the Rising Stars Game. A two-way standout, Lopez flashes legitimate shortstop tools with fast, soft hands with an above average arm (84 mph) with throws that flash carry. He also worked out in the outfield where the arm was just as good and accurate with a best throw at 82 mph. In the game he was 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a 2 RBI single. There’s sneaky power in his game overall, but at the dish it was loud contact where he flashes feel for the barrel while keeping it in the zone for a long time through to contact. On the mound he retired four of the five hitters he faced that included a strikeout on a nasty slider while also showing excellent instincts on a soft chopper in front of the plate where he called off the catcher and threw a dart to first to get the runner that ran a 4.52 home-to-first.

Rhett Lopez, Centennial High (CA), 2029
Positional Profile: 3B/RHP Do-it-all player that can play multiple positions and pitch with high upside. Power bat that can function as a legit two-way threat.
Body: 5-8, 139-pounds. Compact, well-balanced athletic build.
Delivery: Glove sits at chest height. Body coils into delivery. High leg kick with long extension.
Arm Action: RH. High 3/4 arm slot. Full circle arm path. Quick release with whippy arm action. Slight recoil on FB.
FB: T81, 76-81 mph. Is firm and has occasional arm-side run. Commands pitch high often. T1859, 1734 average rpm.
CB: 70-70 mph. Likes to throw pitch low. Has 12-6 movement. T1740, 1740 average rpm.
SL: 69-71 mph. Struggles to command pitch. Sweeping movement through the zone. T2106, 2025 average rpm.

Hit: RHH. Athletic, slightly open stance with a medium-wide base and flex in the knees. Hands are set high and tight near the back shoulder, with elbows stacked and the back elbow elevated. Bat is angled slightly forward over the head. Weight is balanced into the backside. Overall setup is dynamic and open. Long, high leg kick that initiates load in back leg. Draws power from load and hand seperation. Lands hard and firm with front foot. Long bat path in the zone with a very whippy barrel generating tons of pop.
Power: 94 max exit velocity, averaged 87.1 mph. 301' max distance.
Arm: RH. INF-84 mph. OF-82 mph. High 3/4 release. Let's arm loose from OF with a downward motion on throws. Very good accuracy with strong arm strength delivering consistent one-hoppers. Arm-side run throwing from INF. Arm stays loose and lively making plays from INF.
Defense: Keeps tall posture when playing OF and INF. Uses athletic lower body to get low and field. Quick, twitchy feet that shows off decent range in OF. Transfer is smooth and quick.