Another Laporta, Heyward, Schaffer, Moustakas thread

by Team Moneyball on Feb 23, 2008 12:12 PM EST

So I've seen a lot of these threads floating around and while there doesn't seem to be a general consensus on rank but there seems to be an idea of these guys' abilities. I wanted to see if everyone could give a mini-crystal ball on these guys and list a line from their peak year, an average year and a small blurb about what position they play, since its uncertain for two of them. I hope this isn't redundant with the other threads but it might help synthesize what has been discussed elsewhere.

Laporta: Should be huge masher, but is really a 1b/dh stuck in LF, where he is now blocked. Some posters have questioned his contact ability, but everyone seems to agree he has monster power and solid plate discipline. His bat might carry him to the majors very quickly, but where is he going to find a place to play?

Heyward: One of the best bats in the 2007 draft out of high school. Very polished and disciplined hitter with huge power and .300 BA upside. Can handle OF so there are no concerns that he won't be able to find a role. The drawback is that he's just out of high school and is years away. There is a lot of time for him to either get hurt, fail, or blossom.

Schaffer: Very good defender at a premier position with solid hitting upside. He also has speed on the bases. He's already had a successful season at AA, so the majors aren't that far away. His upside with the bat doesn't seem nearly as high as the rest, but it would be very good for a CF.

Moustakas: Another top HS bat, but he's slotted to stay at a premium position. Of course there are a lot of doubters who say he can't stay at SS. His bat also has huge upside in both power and BA and he is decribed as having a solid approach at the plate. But is he going to hit at an impact defense position or right field?

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Laporta

If Mike Cameron's option isn't picked up for next year, Hart might be able to shift to CF, Braun could shift to RF, and Laporta could have a spot waiting for him in LF in 2009. Of course that would likely be a below average defense across the board, but that's really the only non-injury related scenario for next year that doesn't block Laporta.

by bretsky07 on Feb 23, 2008 12:40 PM EST reply actions

what??

so trades are not a scenario where Laporta gets into the lineup?

No way LaPorta is not in a ML lineup somewhere in 2008

by yoshimi on Feb 23, 2008 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

Fair enough

I should have specified that was assuming he stays a Brewer. He could be traded somewhere with a corner outfield opening once he is a year removed from the draft, but neither Braun or Hart are getting traded anytime soon.

by bretsky07 on Feb 23, 2008 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

Hmmm

I remember another LaPorta thread a couple of weeks ago where I guessed he could be traded but the more I've thought about this the more I think LaPorta will remain a Brewer this year(I'm not about to guess on what happens next year yet).

In my opinion I feel the Brewers will give Braun a full year in the OF and evaluate whether a potential move to RF is possible, while at the same time giving LaPorta a full year in the minors to work on his defensive inefficiencies (spl?). After all, he's not even reached 120 AB's of professional ball - granted they are phenomenal AB's - I just think the Brewers would be foolish to move him before they're able to fully evaluate his talent/potential defensive position.

by scstrato on Feb 23, 2008 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

Yep

I expect a full year in the OF and a full year in the minors and if he is playing exceptional, he may get dealt next offseason.

by Dfarth on Feb 23, 2008 5:01 PM EST up reply actions

no chance

LaPorta spends all of 08 in minors.

You guys should know better.

by yoshimi on Feb 23, 2008 7:45 PM EST up reply actions

We shall see

I think the odds are against you BUT I hope you are right. It would make paying for mlb.tv all the more easy to swallow.

by scstrato on Feb 24, 2008 11:12 AM EST up reply actions

wow

What an awesome defensive outfield!

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Feb 23, 2008 1:42 PM EST up reply actions

Trades?

Who could they trade? Braun and Fielder are at 1B and LF, the only places LaPorta can play, and they are franchise players.

by metsfan @ Minor League Ball on Feb 23, 2008 1:22 PM EST reply actions

the thinking

was that Laporta would be packaged to a a team like the Giants in need of a big bopper 1B or to the Yanks in need of a 1B, DH and LF for pitching.

by yoshimi on Feb 23, 2008 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

It's not like offense will be an issue

with this team. They have studs hitters all over the place.

What they need is more pitchers- and defenders that can prevent runs. If they want to go far this year, the current group of arms won't cut it.

That's where LaPorta comes in.Let him tear up the minors in April and May to drive up his value even higher and then move him to a team in need of a 1B, DH or LF. Surely there will be plenty of dance partners.

by yoshimi on Feb 23, 2008 2:34 PM EST up reply actions

Is that legal?

I'm too lazy to look it up right now but, can you trade a guy who was drafted in June 2007? I don't think you can for a year. Am I right?

One good thing is the Brew Crew have a year to see how laPorta develops as an outfirlder before they need make a decision for 2009.

by casejud on Feb 23, 2008 3:00 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, you are correct

They would have to wait til the end of May or June I think before they could move him but they would need that much time to establish his value and find partners.

by yoshimi on Feb 23, 2008 6:36 PM EST up reply actions

loophole

They could always send him somewhere as a PTBNL.

by was385 on Feb 23, 2008 9:42 PM EST up reply actions

You can trade them...

as a PTBNL and the wait till they are legal to announce that they are the player.

by Zabat @ Minor League Ball on Feb 24, 2008 2:46 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah,

I interpreted it badly.

by metsfan @ Minor League Ball on Feb 23, 2008 2:08 PM EST reply actions

2009 Lineup

C - TBD
1B - Fielder
LF - Laporta
CF - Hart
RF - Braun
2B - Weeks
SS - Hardy
3B - Hall

by sully10x on Feb 23, 2008 2:38 PM EST reply actions

I can hear Uke now...

"Hatteberg settles in against Gallardo.... It's a hard smash to the gap in left-center field. Hart and LaPorta are moving toward it, but Hart was shading him over toward right field... Hardy's going out for the relay... wait a minute, Hardy is still still going out, and ... it looks like the ball has bounced off the wall and is rolling back in... LaPorta and Hart are moving back to their positions, while Hardy picks it up and fires it over to Hall, covering 3rd... and Hatteberg reached third base standing up!"

by BobbyMac on Feb 23, 2008 2:53 PM EST up reply actions