 Matt LaPorta. The sole minor league player in the 2008 CC Sabathia trade who is making a consistent contribution to his team. Matt LaPorta, who plays effective defense at first base and the outfield, helps bring versatility as well as a big bat for whichever team he plays for.
LaPorta was originally drafted 7th overall by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2007 MLB Draft. He came over with 3 other prospects to the Cleveland Indians in the 2008 trade that sent CC Sabathia to Milwaukee. Though he toiled away in the minors, LaPorta got called up to the majors back in the 2009 season as the Indians main first baseman. During his time in the majors, LaPorta has played in 269 games from 2009-2011. His career batting average is .238 with 909 At-Bats, connecting on just 87 hits, hitting 30 homeruns, 115 RBIs, with an ONP of .304 and a slugging percentage of .397. However during the past offseason, the Indians signed free agent 1B Casey Kotchman to a one-year deal and sent LaPorta back down to the Columbus Clippers. Currently as it stands, he’s played in 31 games for the Clippers, batting .333 with 38 hits, 10 homeruns, 24 RBIs, an OBP of .408 and has a slugging percentage of .648. But with Kotchman slumping right now with the Indians, it’ll only be a matter of time before LaPorta comes back up to the big leagues. And who knows, maybe this time around LaPorta's ship will permanently make port in Cleveland. - Ryan Fox |
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