Jacob Lopez is a left-handed pitcher for the Oakland Athletics. Born March 11, 1998, in Granada Hills, California, he made his MLB debut on August 14, 2023, and has been working to establish himself as a reliable arm in Oakland’s rotation.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Jacob Lopez
- Position: Pitcher
- Team: Oakland Athletics
- Number: 57
- Bats / Throws: Left / Left
- Height / Weight: 6’4″ / 220 lbs
- Date of birth: March 11, 1998 (age 28)
- Hometown: Granada Hills, California, USA 🇺🇸
- MLB debut: August 14, 2023
Background
Lopez grew up in the greater Los Angeles area, developing his craft as a left-handed pitcher from an early age. His path to the big leagues ran through the minor leagues, where he refined his delivery and built the competitive experience needed to eventually earn a roster spot at the highest level. When August 14, 2023 arrived, so did his MLB debut with the Athletics — the payoff for years of grinding in the minors.
Professional Career
Lopez has suited up for two organizations in the majors: the Tampa Bay Rays and the Oakland Athletics. His 2024 stint in Tampa Bay was brief — just 10.1 innings — but he posted a solid 1.16 WHIP in that limited sample, even without recording a decision.
His breakout came in 2025 with Oakland: 92.2 innings, a 4.08 ERA, 7 wins, 7 losses, and a career-high 113 strikeouts. It was his most complete season to date in terms of both volume and swing-and-miss stuff.
The 2026 season brought a step back. Lopez threw 94.0 innings — slightly more than the year before — but his ERA climbed to 4.98 and his WHIP rose to 1.48, reflecting more trouble keeping runners off the bases. He finished 5-4 with 90 strikeouts.
Career Stats
- 2026 – Athletics: 94.0 IP | 4.98 ERA | 5-4 | 90 K | 1.48 WHIP
- 2025 – Athletics: 92.2 IP | 4.08 ERA | 7-7 | 113 K | 1.27 WHIP
- 2024 – Tampa Bay Rays: 10.1 IP | 5.23 ERA | 0-0 | 8 K | 1.16 WHIP
Awards and Honors
Lopez has not yet earned individual awards such as an All-Star selection, Gold Glove, or MVP recognition. His career is still in the consolidation phase, with the focus squarely on improving his command and keeping his ERA trending in the right direction.
One Thing Worth Noting
At 28, Lopez is still finding his footing after a relatively late MLB debut in 2023. The jump from a 4.08 ERA in 2025 to 4.98 in 2026 — while maintaining a similar workload — illustrates just how fine the margins are for starting pitchers in the big leagues. Every tenth of a run matters, and Lopez knows it.
