Yoan López is a Cuban right-handed pitcher born on January 2, 1993, in Nueva Gerona, who made his MLB debut on September 9, 2018. His professional journey has taken him through Arizona, New York, and the Caribbean winter leagues — the story of a pitcher who keeps grinding, looking for the version of himself that sticks at the highest level.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Yoan López
- Position: Pitcher (RHP)
- Current team: Cañeros de los Mochis (LMP, 2026-27)
- Number: 35
- Bats/Throws: Right/Right
- Height/Weight: 6’3″ / 207 lbs
- Born: January 2, 1993 (33 years old) — Nueva Gerona, Cuba 🇨🇺
- MLB Debut: September 9, 2018
Background
López grew up on Isla de la Juventud and developed through Cuba’s baseball system before making the jump to professional ball internationally. His MLB debut in 2018 was a milestone, opening the door to competing at the game’s highest level. As a right-hander focused on developing his arsenal, López has always had one calling card: the ability to miss bats.
MLB Career
López broke into the big leagues with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2020, throwing 19.2 innings with a 5.95 ERA and 16 strikeouts. He returned to Arizona in 2021, posting 13 strikeouts across 12.1 innings — though his ERA climbed to 6.57.
In 2022, the New York Mets acquired him, and López earned his first MLB win that season, striking out 10 batters in 11.0 innings with a 5.73 ERA. The ERA numbers tell you he’s had trouble limiting runs, but the strikeout rate has been a consistent bright spot throughout his time in the majors.
Winter Ball
López has been a regular face in Caribbean winter leagues, spending multiple seasons with the Águilas Cibaeñas in the Dominican (LIDOM). His 2024-25 campaign there produced a 10.80 ERA in 6 games, and in 2025-26 he appeared in 8 games with an 8.10 ERA and a save.
His most recent stop is with Cañeros de los Mochis in the Liga Mexicana del Pacífico (LMP) for 2026-27, where he’s been sharp in a closing role: 3 saves in 4 appearances, 5 strikeouts across 4.0 innings, and a 6.75 ERA. For a guy trying to rebuild momentum, those saves matter.
Career Stats at a Glance
MLB
- 2022 – New York Mets: 11.0 IP | 5.73 ERA | 1-0 | 10 K | 1.73 WHIP
- 2021 – Arizona Diamondbacks: 12.1 IP | 6.57 ERA | 0-0 | 13 K | 1.95 WHIP
- 2020 – Arizona Diamondbacks: 19.2 IP | 5.95 ERA | 0-1 | 16 K | 1.53 WHIP
Winter Ball
- 2026-27 – Cañeros de los Mochis (LMP): 4 G | 4.0 IP | 6.75 ERA | 3 SV | 5 K
- 2025-26 – Águilas Cibaeñas (LIDOM): 8 G | 6.2 IP | 8.10 ERA | 1 SV | 8 K
- 2024-25 – Águilas Cibaeñas (LIDOM): 6 G | 5.0 IP | 10.80 ERA | 1 SV | 4 K
- 2021-22 – Águilas Cibaeñas (LIDOM): 3 G | 2.1 IP | 0.00 ERA | 0 SV | 0 K
At 33, Yoan López is still in the mix — a reliever with real MLB experience who’s using winter ball in Sinaloa to stay sharp and prove he has more to give at the professional level.
