Back in the World Baseball Classic for the first time since 2013, Brazil has plenty of new faces this time around – including ‘13 Classic veteran and current pitching coach Andre Rienzo’s nephew, Pietro, Jose Contreras’ 17-year-old son, Joseph – a Vanderbilt-commit – and Manny Ramirez’s son, Lucas, who played for the team at the Tucson Qualifiers. They also added an Ivy Leaguer to the mix, with Columbia University academic junior, Tomas Lopez, joining the bullpen. The econ major, who wants to later work in an MLB front office, is coming off his debut season at Columbia, using a five-pitch mix to post a 0.73 ERA in 12 1/3 innings with 17 Ks last season.
We spoke before he heads to Houston to join his new teammates in a few weeks. Here is our conversation, edited for length and clarity.
MLB: You’re originally from Redondo Beach. What brought you to playing baseball at Columbia?
Tomas Lopez: I came to Columbia because, first of all, it was a great academic school. That was definitely one of my priorities. And being on the East Coast sounded nice to me, just getting to experience a different environment in terms of weather and atmosphere and the whole city. And then the coaches were awesome. They made me feel like I was at home, feel wanted. So it was honestly an easy choice.
MLB: I was at a Columbia game a few years ago to cover Princeton, who have a pretty notable analytics group embedded with their baseball team. Is there something similar at Columbia?
TL: We do have an analytics team here, who do a really good job in analyzing our bullpen data and telling us what's good and what's not. We have one guy specifically who helps us make those adjustments and throw better pitches. Our pitching coach also always talks about, like, ‘These are the three statistics that determine if we win games or lose games.’ Or, ‘What can we do to prevent teams from getting an edge on us in which they shouldn't?’
MLB: Your connection to Brazil is through your mother. What’s her background?
TL: She's born and raised Brazilian, growing up just outside São Paulo. My mom's side of the family is all from Brazil, and I went a lot as a kid. You know, just doing a bunch of visiting.
MLB: What were some of your favorite experiences when visiting?
TL: Honestly, just getting to see the culture aspect of it, just the way Brazilians do things differently than what us Americans do. It's honestly unique – what they eat and how family gatherings are such an important part of life.
MLB: If you’re sitting down for a family dinner in Brazil, what are you hoping to see on the table?
TL: A lot of Brazilian steak. One thing I like about South American culture is that they kind of merge together. So, it'll be like a Venezuelan empanada with a Brazilian steak and some Argentinian sausage. It's cool how these cultures blend – plus, a lot of rice and beans and all that good stuff.
MLB: What was the conversation like when they offered you a spot on the team?
TL: Honestly, I didn't really expect it. I knew, obviously, that they were scouting me, but for them to offer me a spot on the team was definitely incredible. It's obviously super special. I went and told my Columbia coaches immediately and they're really excited for me. The AD was super excited for me. It's been a really good experience with this tremendous support system.
And my Mom was at a loss for words. She got a little emotional, because this is such a unique experience and something like this doesn't come to everybody. She's still in shock, honestly.
It’s going to mean a lot when I pull the jersey on – I’m playing for the front of the jersey and the back of the jersey at the same time, with my family’s history and our last name and getting to play for Brazil. I’m just excited to get this opportunity and to play baseball.
MLB: What are you most excited for when you get to camp and get to meet your new teammates?
TL: Baseball just brings people together all the time, and it's so awesome to see where everyone comes from, where everyone plays, how everyone else got into the same exact situation I'll be in. That's what I'm most excited for.
MLB: You guys are in a really difficult pool. Is there a team you’re most looking forward to face?
TL: Honestly, pretty much the whole American team. Team USA, obviously a big one with the most Major Leaguers. Team Mexico, too, is always good, so I'll be excited to face them. Team Italy – you can't go wrong.
MLB: Have you started visualizing what will happen if you’re called on to face Aaron Judge?
TL: I’ve got all my teammates asking me, ‘Hey, what are you gonna do if you actually get to face Aaron Judge?’ He’s the biggest one on my radar right now, but they have an All-Star one through nine. There's no easy out for anyone in this tournament.
I like to give a confident answer, so if I pitch against him, I'm ramped up and I'm ready to go. Our coaches put ourselves in a good spot as a pitching staff, so I’ve just got to throw my best stuff out there. At the end of the day, they're big leaguers, and they can hit against anyone. At the same time, the mound is still 60 feet, six inches away. It's just another batter.
MLB: Brazil will be looking to stay in the World Baseball Classic. Do you have any final message before you head off to training?
TL: I think what's so special in particular about this opportunity is to make a name for Brazil in the baseball world. Out of all the Latin American countries – you’ve got the biggest ones being the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Venezuela – the spotlight gets put on them. But there are good players from all the countries and Brazil being one of them that people don't just give enough credit. I’m happy for Team Brazil in the standpoint that they get this opportunity because they earned it. I’m excited to represent them.
