LaPorta Up
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By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com
05/12/09 11:40 PM ET
CLEVELAND -- The Indians were getting ready to stretch before Tuesday's game against the White Sox when Matt LaPorta came sprinting out of the clubhouse and up the stairs of the dugout.
He wasn't late for stretching, but he was close.
"No matter how early I get here [to the ballpark]," LaPorta said with a smile, "it seems I'm always rushing around."
Life in the big leagues has moved quickly for LaPorta, and things only figure to get faster in the coming weeks.
The Indians didn't call LaPorta up from Triple-A Columbus to have him sit.
Well, not for a long time, anyway.
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.
LaPorta is just less than two years removed from being taken by the Brewers as the seventh overall pick in the First-Year Player Draft, and he's less than a year removed from the culture shock that came with the blockbuster CC Sabathia trade that brought him to this organization.
The Indians want to temper expectations for the 24-year-old LaPorta, who is batting just .188 (3-for-16) with a homer so far.
"The expectations for a guy with that little time in professional baseball are unfair," Shapiro said. "Over time, we think he can be a run-production bat. Initially, he's going to have some ups-and-downs."
In addition to transitioning to the big leagues, LaPorta is also getting reaccustomed to first base -- a position he hasn't played with regularity since he was with the Gators. He only played one game at first while with Columbus.
During his four-day absence from the lineup, LaPorta did pregame work at first. He made one gaffe in the seventh inning Tuesday, however, when he didn't field his position properly on a would-be groundout to second that instead resulted in an error when LaPorta couldn't find the bag on the throw.
Where does LaPorta's positional future lie? Who knows?
"I think I've become a pretty good outfielder," LaPorta said. "Whether it's there or first base really doesn't matter to me, as long as I'm in the lineup and helping my team win."
And by the sound of things, he'll be in there more often in the coming days.
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Hafner is a shell of himself, steroids anyone??
LaPorta needs to stay up in the majors and play everyday.
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And they'll sit him. JK
Honestly, I wouldn't really be surprised. I'm optimistic that since we only have 2 true outfielders (Sizemore, Choo) on the big league roster, Marte not showing anything, and Hafner not playing every day...there will have to be at bats for him at one of the corners, and 1st base, and DH. If I see one game with Gimenez or Carroll in the outfield with LaPorta on the bench, I might scream.
(edit) I just read that Carroll is starting in Left tonight. I'll let it slide for this one game...but next time...scream.
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ATTTA BOY2 RUN DOUBLE !
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Not a bad re-debut. Masterson looked good too. Hopefully we get to see more of these exciting players and less of the guys like Marte and Gimenez. I want to see some Carrasco and Rondon, and some regular ABs for LaPorta (1B/LF/DH) and Brantley (LF/CF). And a lot less Ohka and Wood.
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Not a bad re-debut. Masterson looked good too. Hopefully we get to see more of these exciting players and less of the guys like Marte and Gimenez. I want to see some Carrasco and Rondon, and some regular ABs for LaPorta (1B/LF/DH) and Brantley (LF/CF). And a lot less Ohka and Wood.
Not a bad re-debut. Masterson looked good too. Hopefully we get to see more of these exciting players and less of the guys like Marte and Gimenez. I want to see some Carrasco and Rondon, and some regular ABs for LaPorta (1B/LF/DH) and Brantley (LF/CF). And a lot less Ohka and Wood.
Agreed, Sipps 1 out bases loaded door slammer was also great to see, the kids really starting to pitch with confidence.
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Yep, I think it's hard to find someone who doesn't love Sipp on this site.
And LaPorta is back in left tonight. Two straight games!
Yep, I think it's hard to find someone who doesn't love Sipp on this site.
And LaPorta is back in left tonight. Two straight games!
Sipp is growing on me.
And LaPorta is playing 2 straight games??? Is someone else managing the game tonight??? That doesn't sound like something Wedge would do.
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i am really looking forward to seeing the extended rosters. because of the way management is moving with young players, it is really going to decide who is up next year. for the first time in a long time this season, i am excited.
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One thing that's stood out....he's aggressive and doesn't give up. Down in the count 0-2 today and hits a solo shot for a 4-2 lead in the 6th inning. Seems like most of his hits are coming out of 0-2 or 1-2 counts.
He keeps his hit streak going and adds another double (that's 5 in 7 games). He's even been pretty solid in left. Can't wait to see a full season of this guy.
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Outside of deep only leagues, prospects dont tend to make enough of a difference to drop a guy like Ross with guaranteed at bats and at least a bit of a major league track record that suggests he will be valuable.
Guys like Braun are the exception... look at Travis Snider. Not that LaPorta is either of those guys, but the high K is a fairly good indicator that hes going to struggle against anyone with a decent breaking ball.
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well for me dudes, I like Delucci, think he's good to deliver
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Fallen leaves, fallen leaves, fallen leaves... on the ground
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