Matt LaPorta Called Up (1 Viewer)

[NY/NJMFDIVER]

One of the top sticks in the minors, and Hafner's on the DL. He's probably a FA in most leagues and not a waiver guy and he's definately worth a roster spot!

 

[Captain Hook]

I think this is really league dependent

In AL only leagues and AL or mixed keeper leagues, I agree 100%

BUT in mixed leagues remember that he is only the RH half of a platoon (for now) at DH.....and there is the question of what happens when/if Hafner returns.

True he might mash from day one and force his way into an OF slot if Francisco continues to do poorly, but it is just as likely they give him a cup of coffee and send him back down and then recall him later in the year....especially if he were to struggle at all.

So really depends on how desperate your team is for power AND if you have reserve slots to carry him

 

[NY/NJMFDIVER]

I think this is really league dependentIn AL only leagues and AL or mixed keeper leagues, I agree 100%BUT in mixed leagues remember that he is only the RH half of a platoon (for now) at DH.....and there is the question of what happens when/if Hafner returns.True he might mash from day one and force his way into an OF slot if Francisco continues to do poorly, but it is just as likely they give him a cup of coffee and send him back down and then recall him later in the year....especially if he were to struggle at all.So really depends on how desperate your team is for power AND if you have reserve slots to carry him

What you say is true, but I'd be very intrigued by his ceiling. But maybe if your roster is iffy, you can make your own call.Personally, I cut Cameron for him, who's actually putting up decent digits but I could pass on the possible ceiling of LaPorta. I've been spoiled by getting Braun and Longoria the past two years and I have visions of their seasons dancing in my head.The guy was hitting .400 at AAA, he doesn't have much to prove there. I don't know what shape Vic is in, but you could also get him ABs at 1b.

 

[Buckfast 1]

I think this is really league dependentIn AL only leagues and AL or mixed keeper leagues, I agree 100%BUT in mixed leagues remember that he is only the RH half of a platoon (for now) at DH.....and there is the question of what happens when/if Hafner returns.True he might mash from day one and force his way into an OF slot if Francisco continues to do poorly, but it is just as likely they give him a cup of coffee and send him back down and then recall him later in the year....especially if he were to struggle at all.So really depends on how desperate your team is for power AND if you have reserve slots to carry him

What you say is true, but I'd be very intrigued by his ceiling. But maybe if your roster is iffy, you can make your own call.Personally, I cut Cameron for him, who's actually putting up decent digits but I could pass on the possible ceiling of LaPorta. I've been spoiled by getting Braun and Longoria the past two years and I have visions of their seasons dancing in my head.The guy was hitting .400 at AAA, he doesn't have much to prove there. I don't know what shape Vic is in, but you could also get him ABs at 1b.

I know Wedge said that LaPorta would generally serve as the DH against left-handers with Dellucci playing against righties, but I have a hard time believing that Cleveland will not find ways to get him into the lineup on a consistent basis. Today, he started in right field and pushed Ben Francisco to the bench despite facing a right-hander (Verlander). I definitely think that he is worth a pick-up in most leagues based on his ceiling. I also dropped Cameron for him. I just think it would be hard to stomach missing out on the next great hitting prospect because you put too much weight into Wedge's comments about his playing time.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

If LaPorta is on the wire in a dynasty or keeper league, you play with a bunch of dopes. Not sure he'll make a whole lotta impact in redrafts but he's worth a roster spot.

 

[Buckfast 1]

I came across this article at FanGraphs.com about LaPorta. They noted that although LaPorta might get platooned early on starting against lefties, he has actually hit significantly better against righties over his minor league career. I suppose that's another reason why Cleveland would want to get him more playing time than just starting him against lefties in the DH spot.

The Cleveland Indians organization finally made the move we all knew was coming the moment 1B/DH Travis Hafner hit the disabled list with another shoulder injury. The club promoted LF/1B/DH Matt LaPorta from Triple-A. LaPorta has crushed minor league pitching almost constantly since being the seventh overall selection in the 2007 draft. The right-handed batter was traded from Milwaukee to Cleveland in last year's C.C. Sabathia deal.

He has massive power and could make an immediate impact in the Indians lineup, given appropriate playing time from manager Eric Wedge. LaPorta was hitting .333/.414/.640 with five homers in 75 at-bats for Triple-A Columbus. His walk rate has been constantly improving, which is encouraging, but you can expect him to strikeout 20-25 percent of the time.

LaPorta struggles against off-speed pitches so he's going to see a lot of them early on in his MLB career. His career minor-league average is .292 but don't expect him to hit for a high average right away. The power, though, should be there right from the get-go. He may get platooned early on, but he's never really hit southpaws all that well with a career .237/.327/.452 line against them (compared to righties at .311/.407/.626).

http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php...as-in-the-house

 

[cosjobs]

Up with one out and bases loaded... whatchya gonna do?

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Up with one out and bases loaded... whatchya gonna do?

K

 

[NY/NJMFDIVER]

Up with one out and bases loaded... whatchya gonna do?

K

Good AB though, put wood on those 100 mph heaters and NO ONE was hitting that bender to strike him out, that was cruel. As an aside, Verlander is looking amazing right now! What a talent, 100 mph after 100 pitches.

 

[Buckfast 1]

In case anyone missed it, LaPorta hit his first home run of the season last night.

He started last night against Brian Tallet, a lefty, and should be in line to start again today against Brett Cecil, another lefty.

It will be interesting to see how much playing time he'll get the rest of the week.

 

[MAC_32]

FWIW Wedge has been persistent that he'll only see time vs. lefties. I think it's silly, but...it's Wedge.

 

[Buckfast 1]

FWIW Wedge has been persistent that he'll only see time vs. lefties. I think it's silly, but...it's Wedge.

Yeah, I'm not buying into Wedge's comments. I have a feeling that LaPorta will see somewhat regular playing time as long as he doesn't struggle badly against major league pitching. LaPorta already started against a righty on Sunday. Also, apparently Wedge wants LaPorta to play some first base as well. LaPorta was told to play first base on the Friday in AAA before he was called up. Considering that Garko hits left-handed pitching much better than he hits righties, we might see LaPorta get some starts against righties at first base. It will be interesting to see how they end up using him, but I have a feeling that they will continue to find starts for him at LF, RF, 1B, and DH.

 

[gigantor]

got to watch him play a few games here in Columbus before he was called up. He's got a great bat, but I'm hearing he may be back down here soon.

 

[Buckfast 1]

LaPorta is not in the starting lineup tonight against a right-handed starter. Dellucci is playing at the DH spot and Choo and Francisco are in the corner outfield spots.

 

[Buckfast 1]

After four straight days of a LaPorta-less lineup, frustrated fans eager to see the Tribe's top prospect get a legitimate chance to impact the lineup got their wish Tuesday. He was also back to his old position from his University of Florida days, getting the start at first base. Manager Eric Wedge and general manager Mark Shapiro have both made it clear that it is the Indians' intention to give LaPorta an increasingly regular presence in the lineup, so you can probably count on him to be in action Wednesday, when the Indians wrap up their three-game series against Mark Buehrle and the White Sox with a businessman's special at Progressive Field.

"He's a guy that, as you watch the next week or two, you're going to see play more and more," Shapiro said. "He wouldn't be up here if we didn't expect to play him more and more and help us score runs more consistently."

With David Dellucci and Ben Francisco not performing up to expectations and Travis Hafner still on the disabled list, LaPorta has a chance to steal some at-bats in left field and at designated hitter. Ryan Garko's ability to move between first base, DH and the corner-outfield spots also helps.

http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/arti...sp&c_id=cle