Matt LaPorta grade?

by Einsteinhood on Dec 30, 2007 2:23 AM EST Comment 14 comments

With the Brewers on deck, I'm having a hard time figuring if John is going to have LaPorta as a B+ or an A-.

He looks like a pretty decent bet to be a good all around hitter and the discipline, contact and raw power seem to all be there.

The problem is trying to figure him defensively. In left, it would seem the best they can hope for is competence. But as soon as Prince walks (likely after 2011) LaPorta should slide right back to a more natural fit for him at first.

So is he a B+ or an A-? Lower?

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Low end B+ or high end B

Pushed I would go with B+.

Basically if you are a sub par defensive player an A is not possible, so his unproven offense probably lands him a B+.

by novaoakland on Dec 30, 2007 4:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

He really really reminds me of Jason Giambi

B+ overall but an A- with the Bat.

by Bravesin07 on Dec 30, 2007 9:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

What?

He reminds you of Giambi, but only gets a A- with the bat? I agree with the grades, but if he reminds you of Giambi he would get an A+ with the bat. In his prime (when he was on roids) Giambi was one of the best hitters in baseball, possibly the best hitter in the AL from 99-02.

by nyy601 on Dec 30, 2007 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He's solidly a B+ for me...

His debut was pretty impressive, albeit short. If he continues that level of production, then he should be an A-type player. One could argue that based on his performance that the Brewers were too conservative in his placement, and I expect them to push him more this year. Since the time was limited, he gets a B+.

by beastball on Dec 30, 2007 10:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

B+ overall but A- with the bat...

Makes sense to me.

Artie, there has been a lot of debate amongst the Brewer fandom about how fast LaPorta should move. There are people that think he could/should be up by mid year this year. I wouldn't move him that fast, but depending on how he looks this spring, but I would consider opening him in AA.

There are no prospects on other teams, only players that Jack Zduriencik didn't want.

by Einsteinhood on Dec 30, 2007 12:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That's what I was thinking too...

He should start in AA, and lets see what he does for the first half, then move him accordingly to keep him challenged.

by beastball on Dec 30, 2007 1:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thoughts

...is anybody upset over his draft position now? At the time, he was considered a pretty big overdraft, expected to go around 10 sports later then he did... do you guys think he went too high?

Joba the.... PWN3D!

by ufoboy90 on Dec 30, 2007 2:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

My impression was people were more surprised

that the Brewers specifically drafted him, because they already had Prince Fielder. But yeah, I know it's a tiny sample size, but I'm starting to seriously believe in him

by OldProspects on Dec 30, 2007 3:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Butler

Butler got a couple A- grades, didn't he? Since their both 1B/DH bats who can absolutely rake, I'm not sure why Butler "couldn't" get an A-level grade.

http://rswanzey.blogspot.com

by rswanzey on Dec 30, 2007 2:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

typo

should read: "I'm not sure why LaPorta couldn't get an A-level grade"

http://rswanzey.blogspot.com

by rswanzey on Dec 30, 2007 2:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think he should get one yet

While LaPorta's numbers post-draft were great, Matt put up those numbers in the lower minors, in the GCL and low-A. I would give him a B+ until I see what he can do in the high minors.

http://mvn.com/milb-yankees/

by lemonjello on Dec 30, 2007 2:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

true

True, I looked up Butler's old grades, and John gave him a B+ after demolishing the Pioneer League in 2004. He still rated as a B+ after wrecking A+ and doing very well in a late season AA trial. He only got the A- grade after spending all of 2006 in AA. I guess I'd expect a B+ but wouldn't be shocked by a B due to ARL for LaPorta until we see him at higher levels.

http://rswanzey.blogspot.com

by rswanzey on Dec 30, 2007 3:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs