Lopez Selected in 10th Round by Minnesota Twins

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Senior shortstop Brandon Lopez was selected in the 10th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Minnesota Twins Friday.

Lopez, a third-team All-ACC selection, became the first Hurricane chosen by Minnesota since 2013. Picked No. 303 overall, Lopez joined teammates Zack Collins (No. 10, Chicago White Sox), Willie Abreu (No. 170, Colorado Rockies) and Bryan Garcia (No. 175, Detroit Tigers) as Miami draftees through the first 10 rounds.

A four-year starter for the Hurricanes, Lopez ranks second in the ACC and leads Miami with a .392 average this season.

Lopez, who was named a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award honoring the nation’s top shortstop, has recorded career-best totals of 76 hits, 46 runs scored, 13 doubles, two home runs and 41 RBI for the third-ranked Hurricanes. He is slugging .490 and has recorded an on-base percentage of .467, the third-highest mark on the team.

Known primarily for his glove during his first three seasons at Miami, Lopez continued his strong play defensively with just five errors made in the field through his 53 starts at shortstop.

The 2016 MLB Draft continues Saturday with Rounds 11-40.