Royals Prospect Nicky Lopez Hit for the Cycle
It took just four at-bats and six innings for Northwest Arkansas second baseman and Royals prospect Nicky Lopez to make history Thursday night.
Lopez hit for the second cycle in Northwest Arkansas history, joining Bubba Starling as the only two players to complete the feat for the Double-A affiliate of the Royals that has existed since 2008.
Starling hit for the cycle on July 28, 2015 at Arkansas.
Lopez opened Northwest Arkansas’ 17–3 win at Tulsa with a single to right. He doubled to left in the third inning before checking the triple off the list in the fourth.
The 23-year-old entered with just one home run on the season and nine in 1,171 minor-league plate appearances but completed his cycle with a solo homer to start the sixth inning.
Lopez finished the night 5-for-6, collecting his fifth hit with a single in the seventh before popping out to short in the ninth.
Last cycles in the Kansas City organization:
Royals (MLB): George Brett, July 25, 1990 at Toronto
Omaha (AAA): Jimmy Paredes, May 12, 2014 vs. New Orleans
NW Arkansas (AA): Nicky Lopez, June 21, 2018 at Tulsa
Wilmington (A+): Chris DeVito, June 2, 2017 at Winston-Salem
