UCF RHP Yessenia Lopez: Big-innings freshman arm with strikeout upside and international experience
Lopez emerged as a meaningful circle option for UCF in 2025, working 88.1 innings across 28 appearances and 18 starts with a 4.36 ERA, 84 strikeouts, and a .279 batting average against, while ranking among Big 12 leaders in strikeouts per seven innings and strikeout-to-walk ratio. Her appeal is a blend of volume, swing-and-miss potential, and poise beyond her class, plus experience with Team Puerto Rico at the 2023 Pan American Games. She looks like a good fit for a staff that values durable right-handed depth with room to keep growing into a steadier frontline presence.[1]
