Matt LaPorta

Full Name: Matthew Vincent LaPorta	Current Team: Cleveland Indians
Height/Weight: 6'2"/210	Number: 16
Birthdate: January 8, 1985	Entry Draft:
Birthplace: Port Charlotte, Florida	Drafted By:
Position: LF	College: Florida

Rate this Player

4.44

(16 votes)

[edit] Biography

In ninth grade, Matt LaPorta was told that he'd never be a Major League Baseball player. Now, he's one of the top prospects in the Milwaukee Brewers system, having been drafted with the #7 overall pick in the 2007 draft.

LaPorta played college ball for the University of Florida. He is the only 2-time SEC Player of the Year (and only Gator to ever win the award), Florida's career (74) and single season HR record holder (26) and in the top 10 all-time NCAA in career HR. Of curious note, he had 30 of his team's 33 intentional walks in 2007 as well as led the team in Hit By Pitches with 19 (ouch!).

[edit] Scouting Report

Scouts love his power. "Country strong" as they like to say. You can't miss it. He is a thick dude at 220 lbs, has oak-like thighs and great hand-eye coordination.
No problems converting from aluminum bats to wood. Silenced any doubters with excellent power numbers in Cape Cod league last year and similar trends in Minors and AFL. Rates as a 70 power (out of 80)
Through the first 11 games of the Arizona Fall League schedule, LaPorta hit safely in every game and led the league in RBI, second in HR. He batted third in the lineup and has not disappointed.
His muscularity actually makes him appear shorter on the field than his listed 6'2", which he may actually be a tad taller.
He's played every position on the baseball field at some point in his career including where he is stationed now (left field). His arm is above average for outfield and he seems to get good jumps on balls hit his way, although I only saw him have two cans of corn hit to him in the game.
Love to play the game, highly motivated, good instincts, willing to play any/all positions, but suited best for first base or left field.
Can hit the ball to the right side better than typical mashers and has an above average eye at the plate (second in AFL in walks) and decent pitch recognition.
Definitely not afraid to take a pitch.
He's highly competitive and his Mom says that he can be highly motivated by food. He will compete in anything and win if the reward is a meal. This could be a successful character trait in a place like Milwaukee. Or he could balloon to 300 lbs if he wins too much!
The main knock against LaPorta is his speed. He runs around a 4.6 40yd, which isn't horrible but he won't be stealing 50 bases a season anytime soon. In fact, he had zero stolen bases in Minor League action this season. I did see him break for second on a hit and run that was fouled off; he appears to be a heady baserunner, gets good secondary leads. He might not be fast but his well-tuned baseball instincts give him a "quickness"
There are some minor concerns about injuries, but none have been major. Strained oblique in college cost him part of his junior year. Has a "tender" right elbow currently and is wearing a compression sleeve, but it's more nicks and soreness from the rigors of playing baseball since January, when UF's season started.

[edit] Transactions

Drafted in the 14th round of the 2003 MLB draft by the Chicago Cubs; did not sign
Drafted in the 14th round of the 2006 MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox; did not sign
Drafted in the first round of the 2007 MLB draft by the Milwaukee Brewers (7th Overall); signed $2 million signing bonus

[edit] Collegiate Highs

At Bats: 6 vs. Auburn (3/24/07)
Runs Scored: 4, three times, last vs. LSU (5/11/07)
Hits: 4, five times, last vs. LSU (5/11/07)
RBI: 6, twice, last vs. LSU (5/11/07)
Doubles: 2, twice, last vs. Auburn (3/23/07)
Home Runs: 2, nine times, last vs. LSU (5/11/07)
Walks: 5, twice, last vs. Tennessee (5/17/07)
Hit Streak: 20 games (3/23-5/4/07)

[edit] College Statistics

[edit] Overall Career Statistics

YEAR	AVG.	GP-GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB-ATT
2004	.285	50-36	130	31	37	5	0	14	37	13	39	1-3
2005	.328	70-70	265	75	87	16	2	26	79	44	65	3-7
2006	.259	43-43	158	31	41	2	0	14	38	28	34	0-0
2007	.402	52-52	169	60	68	10	0	20	52	55	16	2-3
CAREER	.323	215-201	722	197	233	33	2	74	206	140	154	6-13

[edit] SEC Regular-Season Statistics

YEAR	AVG.	GP-GS	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB-ATT
2004	.329	27-18	70	17	23	1	0	8	22	7	19	1-1
2005	.296	29-29	115	29	34	5	1	15	41	13	25	0-3
2006	.259	30-30	112	22	29	2	0	11	25	17	25	0-0
2007	.446	26-26	83	32	37	5	0	11	26	34	10	1-2
CAREER	.324	112-103	380	100	123	13	1	45	114	71	79	2-6