Reds utility infielder Alejo Lopez is carving out a nice niche heading into 2023

The Cincinnati Reds escaped the Windy City with a series victory over the Chicago Cubs thanks in large part to the efforts of Alejo Lopez. The 26-year-old rookie is carving out a nice niche for himself heading into the offseason.

The infielder smacked an RBI triple to tie the game between the Reds and Cubs yesterday afternoon at Wrigley Field. In the ninth inning, Lopez laced a would-be double into the right-center field gap that was misplayed by the Cubs' outfielders. The hit allowed Nick Senzel to score and Lopez to reach third base.

Lopez would eventually score the winning run on Jonathan India's RBI single in the top of the ninth inning. When he's been called upon this season, Lopez has delivered.

Reds IF Alejo Lopez has carved out a nice niche for himself heading into 2023.

All Alejo Lopez has done this season is answered the bell. The rookie, who got a cup of coffee with the Cincinnati Reds in 2021, has received increased playing time of late and has shined when given the opportunity. Lopez appears to be one of those players who can contribute without regular at-bats.

Lopez was optioned to Triple-A back in mid-June after hitting .246/.333/.279 over the course of 30 games played. A scrappy, hard-nosed player is the type of professional that every manager wants on his team, but an OPS of .612 just isn't going to keep you on the active roster.

Lopez returned to the roster in August and has been hitting the cover off the ball. In 12 games, that includes seven starts, Lopez is 14-for34 (.412) and has an OPS of .958 with two doubles and a triple during that stretch.

Alejo Lopez has done enough to warrant consideration to be part of the offseason roster and is maneuvering himself into position to lay claim to a spot on next year's Opening Day roster. Lopez will need to continue his hot-hitting through the month of September in order to curry favor with the Cincinnati Reds brass heading into the winter.