McCoy: Call up to major leagues ‘dream come true’ for Reds’ 27th-round pick

That meant he had to work harder and do more to be noticed.

“To be honest with you, yes, I have to work and do a lot more and put myself out there,” he said.

That’s what he did and that’s why the 25-year-old Lopez wore a big league uniform for the first time Monday as a member of the Cincinnati Reds.

Lopez, born in Mexico, was drafted by the Reds in the 27th round of the 2015 draft. Thus began his long, arduous scramble from the lowest level to the highest.

He began this season at Class AA Chattanooga and hit .362 in 25 games. He was promoted to Class AAA Louisville and nothing changed. He hit .358 in 24 games.

The Reds could not ignore him.

“Anybody who makes it to this point deserves it, but a guy like Alejo, it will be a pleasure having him around. He has absolutely earned it,” said manager David Bell.

“Sometimes guys have to do a little bit more, but he did a lot more,” said Bell. “It was pretty apparent he deserved an opportunity and you love to see what he can do at this level. His ability to play multiple positions really helps.”

Lopez mostly played third base and second base for Chattanooga and Louisville but can also play left field and insists he can play shortstop, too.

With infielders Mike Moustakas and Nick Senzel relegated to lengthy stays on the injured list, Lopez figures to get playing time, especially with his versatility.

His power is limited — no home runs at Chattanooga and only two at Louisville. But he had nine doubles at Chattanooga and 10 at Louisville.

It is why he admires players like Rod Carew and Tony Gwynn, though he wasn’t born when Carew played and he was 5 years old when Gwynn retired.

“I look at Rod Carew’s tapes,” said Lopez. “I just think it is very cool to hit .350. That’s never going to get old. I understand this is a different era and people love the long ball. And it’s great. The long ball is hard to do and it is cool to appreciate it but hitting .350 is just a different beast. It is never going to get old.”

On his first day as a major leaguer, he was properly awed and appreciative.

“A childhood dream come true,” he said. “The first person who told me was P.K. (Louisville manager Pat Kelly). He called me into his office and said, ‘Remember what I told you two months ago?’ I told him that I didn’t remember, and he said, ‘I told you you’d be a big leaguer and, well, tomorrow is your day.’

“I’ve been chasing this dream for a long time,” he said after spending five years in the minors, including the 2018 season with the Dayton Dragons. “This year I felt I had a chance at it. I played my best baseball from the first day. I was awaiting this day and anticipating it.

“I didn’t take any at bats for granted and played the game pitch-to-pitch,” he added. “I didn’t think about a month in the future or two months in the future, I was thinking game-to-game and that’s what helped me to get here.”

After playing high school in Phoenix, Lopez was offered college scholarships, but the dream was professional baseball.

“I didn’t want to go to college, I wanted to play baseball,” he said. “I talked to my parents about it and we took a chance. We knew the odds, but I felt confidence back then.

Confidence has never been a problem.

“I had to prove myself every year and I knew I had no room for mistakes,” he added. “I could not have one bad year because I know how it all works. I learned to be consistent and have a lot of character. And now we’re here. It’s amazing. It’s amazing that the day has come.”

While Lopez exudes confidence, he is wise enough to know his place for the moment.

“I’m ready for any task the team needs,” he said. “Whatever they need me to do, I can do that role. I haven’t been told what that will be, but whatever they need is what I will do because it is about winning games here. That’s why I’m here.”

To make room for Lopez, outfielder Scott Heineman was designated for assignment as the assembly line of players keeps moving in Cincinnati.

Lopez is the 43rd player to occupy the Reds dugout this season, the 19th position player to go with 24 different pitchers.