Joint the SPN Community of Sports Bloggers
  • Free Sport Blog
  • Free Hosting
  • Wordpress Blogs Welcome!
Matt LaPorta Called Up – Updated?
By: mbohn
The day Cleveland Indians fans have been waiting for since they saw the Tride deal CC Sabathia to the Brewers last year has finally arrived.  After Friday night’s game, they made a few roster moves, designating Tony Graffanino for assignment, and calling up Josh Barfield, Luis Valbuena and some dude named Matt LaPorta.
LaPorta was pegged by Baseball America as the 26th best prospect in the Majors.  I think he is better than that, but who am I to question BA?  LaPorta provides some flexibility as he can play first base or left field.  He will be serving in a platoon role in the beginning, facing lefties but sitting against righties.  David Dellucci, who was activated on Friday himself, will see the time against right-handed pitchers.  The good news here is that the Tribe will face back to back left-handers on Monday and Tuesday.
What will LaPorta bring to the table?  According to BA, he brings “above average” offense as either a one bagger or in the outfield.  He can hit for power, but he does not have great speed.  Matt also does not strike out too much, with only ten so far in 75 at-bats in AAA.  So he should help with average, OPS (if your leagues uses OPS, which mine always do), RBI, and HR counts.  He is worth a spot on your roster even in a platoon role.  You may want to give Josh Anderson a look as his platoon partner.  That is exactly the strategy I am about to implement.
Ignore Barfield, but keep an eye on Valbuena.  Valbuena, a two bagger, makes good contact with the ball and works counts well.  He has limited power, but decent speed, so he could help out across the board.
Update
Gangi has some good stuff up about LaPorta.  Check it out here.
Sat, May 2, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Categories: MLB, MLB Rumors
share: Share On BallHype Share On Digg Share On del.icio.us Share On Facebook Share On Mixx Share On reddit Share On StumbleUpon Share On Y! Buzz Share On YardBarker
Comments :
Name :
          
Email :
URL :
Validation :

(Enter the code listed above to validate your request)
Comments :
About Us Contact Us Advertise With Us Join SPN
Disclaimer - Copyright © 2012. All Rights Reserved Sports Page Network LLC.
Most Popular Posts
The Contract Year Theory
(2559 views)
The Situation - Aroldis Chapman
(2558 views)
Eric Gagne is Back?
(2366 views)
The Situation - Jason Heyward
(2060 views)
Heyward/Strasburg Going According to Plan
(2005 views)
Archives
May 2011
March 2011
February 2011
August 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
October 2007
July 2007
May 2007
January 2007
December 2006