Perhaps it is because he is not a household name, or perhaps because he plays in Miami, but infielder Otto Lopez is having the quietest breakout season in recent memory. The Miami Marlins shortstop finally received some national praise on Monday, taking home the NL Player of the Week award for his efforts.
Lopez, 27, is having by far the best season of his career, leading MLB in batting average, doubles, and total hits. The shortstop added to his impressive season totals last week, batting 14-for-28, with eight extra-base hits and seven RBI. For the season, Lopez is slashing .347/.376/.520, with 123 total hits, 25 doubles, nine home runs, 43 RBI, and 17 stolen bases.
The Dominican Republic native made headlines earlier this week when he was named the starter for the National League at this year's MLB All-Star Game. In 2024, Lopez was designated for assignment twice in the same season: once by the Toronto Blue Jays and once by the San Francisco Giants.
After the Giants released him, the Marlins claimed Lopez off waivers, and he has been rejuvenated ever since. Lopez played in 143 games for the Marlins last year, although his offensive numbers paled in comparison to this year's stat line.
Lopez has been a major reason why the Marlins had a resurgent June, catapulting them back into the NL Playoff picture. The Marlins finished June with a franchise-best 20-6 record, and now sit just 4.5 games back of the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves, and are tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for the final NL Wild Card spot.
Lopez is the first Marlins player to win NL Player of the Week since outfielder Kyle Stowers did it in July 2025. More impressively, he is the first Marlins' infielder to win the award since Adeiny Hechavarria did back in 2015.
