The 20th best hitter in the 2019 season is no stranger to the Valley League scene, as he’s been in the middle of the infield for two different high-achieving teams in two seasons… and that’s no accident.

In 2018, Kobe Lopez played shortstop for the New Market Rebels, who went on to win the franchise’s first Valley League title since 2002. In 2019, he moved to to the Waynesboro Generals, and helped lead the squad to a franchise-record 31 regular-season wins.

In the meantime, he was an All-Star both seasons, and attended the Prospect Showcase in 2019. The 5-foot-6 infielder from Florida International put up the following statistics over the past two years (and playoffs):

VBL G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS Avg OBP SLG
2018 42 150 23 46 4 2 0 15 20 19 9 6 0.307 0.403 0.360
Play 5 22 10 6 0 0 0 4 5 1 1 0 0.273 0.393 0.273
2019 40 155 37 46 13 1 3 23 24 21 11 4 0.297 0.402 0.452
Play 2 9 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0.111 0.200 0.111

(Notice the increase in doubles from ’18 to ’19)

In 2019, he finished tied for fifth in walks, tied for ninth in total bases, tied for fourth in doubles, tied for seventh in hits, and finished second in the entire league in runs scored. He was the hitter of the day on June 25 against Woodstock, when he went 4-6, with three runs, two doubles, a walk, and an RBI. He also had an excellent day on June 19th, also against Woodstock, when he went 3-5, with two runs, two doubles, two RBIs, and a walk. He also had a 12-game hitting streak from June 18 to July 1.

The rising senior spent his first three years at Florida International yet, but has transferred to St. Thomas for 2019-20.

FIU G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS Avg OBP SLG
2017 42 92 16 18 0 0 0 6 8 28 1 3 0.196 0.288 0.196
2018 30 49 8 8 0 0 0 0 4 13 1 2 0.163 0.328 0.163
2019 29 41 3 6 0 0 0 1 7 6 1 0 0.146 0.271 0.146

Congratulations on your two excellent summers in the Valley!