Triple-A All-Star Flashback: 1993 Javy Lopez
On Wednesday, July 13th, 2016 the Triple-A All-Star Game will make its way to BB&T Ballpark, home of the Charlotte Knights. This annual event will provide fans a rare opportunity to see many Major League Baseball stars of tomorrow right in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, NC.
With this year's game fast approaching, Charlotte Knights Media Relations Associate Tom Liguori has created a feature profiling familiar faces that have competed in past Triple-A All-Star Games. Be sure to check back to see which of your favorite big league players will be featured next.
Javy López - 1993
In 1987, the Atlanta Braves signed a teenage catcher, Javy López, as an amateur free agent. The Ponce, Puerto Rico native quickly impressed as he ascended the organizations' prospect hierarchy. By 1991, at the mere age of 19, López had already risen to become the Braves number four rated prospect after hitting 11 home runs with their Single-A affiliate.
After batting .321 with 16 home run in 1992, López soared to the top of Baseball America's top 100 prospects - landing at number 20 in the 1993 preseason rankings. That same season the young catcher hit 17 home runs while once again hitting above the .300 mark. This led to López being selected to participate in the 1993 Triple-A All-Star Game held in Albuquerque, NM, representing the Richmond Braves. As a starting catcher in the annual contest he went 2-3 with a run scored, RBI, and a double - helping to lead his side to a lopsided 14-3 victory.
Late in the 1993 season, López received a September promotion by the Atlanta Braves where he would go on to hit his first MLB home run. In 1995, the catcher experienced his first postseason success. The Atlanta Braves defeated the Cleveland Indians to bring the city only their second World Series title in their franchise history. López helped the cause by hitting two home runs, including one in game two of the World Series. The subsequent season, the Braves would once again reach the World Series on the back of the Javy's heroic performance in the 1996 National League Championship Series. In the seven game series the catcher hit two home runs while batting a whopping .542.
Following the success in the previous two postseasons, López finally was selected to participate in the 1997 MLB All-Star Game. The ensuing season, the powerful righty hit 34 home runs and drove in 106 RBIs, on his way to his second straight all-star selection. López would be selected to participate in a third and final Midsummer Classic during the 2003 season. Throughout the campaign, López hit a career high in home runs and RBIs with 43 and 109 respectively.
López wrapped up the final four seasons of his career with a transition to the American League. During these final years, the catcher spent most of his time with the Baltimore Orioles before finishing up his playing day with the Boston Red Sox. López solidified himself as one of the great offensive catchers of all time reaching double digits in home runs an incredible 12 years in a row. The durability displayed by Javy López throughout his 19-year career at the games most physically grueling position goes to show why he remains one of the Triple-A All-Star Game's most notable names.
Knights fans be sure to circle Wednesday, August 17th on your calendars. Former Atlanta Brave and Triple-A All-Star legend Javy López will be on hand signing autographs during a meet and greet with fans at BB&T Ballpark.