Wilton Lopez
From BR Bullpen
Wilton Aristides Sevilla Lopez also known as Wilton Sevilla and Aristides Sevilla
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 189 lb.
- Born July 19, 1983 in León, León Nicaragua
[edit] Biographical information
Wilton Lopez is a relief pitcher who made his debut for the Houston Astros in 2009. He has pitched for the Nicaraguan national team several times. He was the 11th Nicaraguan in the majors.
In the 2003 Baseball World Cup, Lopez (then going by the name Wilton Sevilla) went 1-0 with a save and a 1.54 ERA, allowing only four hits in 11 2/3 IP.
Signed by scout Edgar Rodriguez, Lopez began his professional career in 2004, appearing for four New York Yankees affiliates in A and Rookie ball, but only totaling 12 1/3 IP between his stops. He was then put on the restricted list by New York and spent two years pitching in his native Nicaragua.
During the 2005 Baseball World Cup, Wilton allowed one run in 4 1/3 IP and saved the 1-0 win over the Czech national team, relieving longtime Nicaraguan star Julio Raudez. In the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games, he allowed 13 hits and 7 runs in 7 innings, but only two earned runs and struck out 7; he lost his lone decision for Nicaragua. In the 2006 Americas Olympic Qualifier, Lopez allowed five runs in 9 1/3 IP.
He signed with the San Diego Padres next and debuted in their system in 2007, playing for the Fort Wayne Wizards and Lake Elsinore Storm, going 1-0 with a 3.30 ERA in 22 games for the former and 2-1 with a 6.10 ERA in 22 games for the latter. He walked only 3 batters in 50 2/3 IP and was second among Midwest League relievers in fewest walks per 9 innings. In the California League playoffs, he went 0-1 with a 1.93 ERA. He was then added to the Padres' 40-man roster.
He played for the Storm, San Antonio Missions and Portland Beavers in 2008, going 2-1 with a 2.64 ERA in 30 games with the Storm, 0-2 with a 4.93 ERA in 27 games with the Missions, and 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA in one game with the Beavers.
He was waived by San Diego after spring training 2009 and was claimed by the Houston Astros. Pitching for the Corpus Christi Hooks, he went 4-5 with a 4.73 ERA but walked only 13 in 110 1/3 IP.
He was called up to the big team in late August, and in his debut on August 28, he gave up a home run to the Diamondbacks' John Hester, who was making his own major league debut as a pinch-hitter. He gave up 6 runs on 8 hits in 4 innings of relief in a 14-7 loss that day.
[edit] Sources
- 2008 Padres Media Guide
- 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games
- Defunct IBAF site
