Matt LaPorta or Chris Davis
by Zabat on Feb 22, 2010 2:14 PM EST
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I recently did a trade in my fantasy league that involved both of these players and I wondered which one of these 1B's with different obstacles blocking there long term spot at 1B was more highly regarded.
Matt LaPorta was a top C/1B/OF prospect for the Brewers. Now with the Indians, after being traded in the CC Sabathia deal. LaPorta was going into the season as the leading candidate for the 1B job on the Indians, but with the Indians recent signing of Russell Branyan it is probably more likely LaPorta will see more action at LF than at 1B unless Branyan is injured.
Both players haven't really shown much with their bats at the MLB level posting these numbers:
Davis: 686ABs .258/.304/.488 38HRs 114RBIs
LaPorta: 181ABs .254/.308/.442 7HRs 21RBIs
I would love to hear your reasoning for liking each player so please post your opinion.
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+ for everyone else who doesnt have to not say +1
yep
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Davis
Similar players with the bat, Davis probably has the edge in power and defense and upside, which is enough for me.
Who loves orange soda?
I don't think theyre similar with the bat at all
Davis has a touch more power, but LaPorta’s ability to hit for AVG and ability to take a walks are so far ahead of Davis that he can’t even see LaPorta from where he is.
I agree LaPorta has better ability for avg, as he makes more contact. That said they both walk at seemingly close rates in AAA/MLB, Laporta was better in AA but also a year old. Pitches per AB where also identical last year in the majors.
Fair enough
I should have said “approach.” The K numbers arent all that similar. There is also a pretty big scouting difference.
If LaPorta Ever Plays Catcher
regularly in the majors then it’s a landslide for LaPorta, but because he is now a COF candidate, his value diminishes significantly.
Davis’ proven power in the majors and currently unblocked playing time at 1B is much more valuable.
Catcher
LaPorta’s only real experience as a catcher is in college. I don’t think anyone is seeing him as a major league catcher.
He has much more experience as an OF than I thought he did. Looks like he didn’t switch to 1B till he reached AA in Brewers’ organization.
I like Davis' raw power....
But LaPorta’s floor is higher. I think LaPorta should be a league average first baseman this year and maybe get a little better as he matures. I think LaPorta should consistently put up an 830-850ish OPS in future and its difficult to take Davis over that unless he strikes out less than 40% of the time.
Davis
Davis has done it in the bigs before. He was a good player and struck out less after his recall in late August.
He also took only 2 weeks off this off-season before getting back to his off-season work out program and says he learned a lot from last year. I’m not expecting him to be an all-world first baseman, but defensively he’s a great player (which will at least keep him in the lineup, see 2009) and I see something like .260/.330/.500 with a chance to be much better than that in 2010.
Nothing against LaPorta, but it looks like Branyon is the 1B and LaPorta will have to A) prove it in Spring Training and B) find a position other than first. Pronk is at DH and they have several outfielders they like already.
I put absolutely no stock into hype over workout programs
Yes, guys probably should work out and stuff, but every year tons of players are in “great shape” and they still suck at baseball.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Feb 22, 2010 7:19 PM EST up reply actions
Does my vote count?
I might be slighly bias towards my side of the deal :)
I take Davis
After his demotion to AAA in July, Davis busted his butt to get better with the strike zone.
Here are his splits from the two months in OKC:
July 22 games, 90 abs, 29 hits, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 4 hr, 9 bb, 19k, .322
August 22 games, 75 abs, 25 hits, 4 doubles, 0 triples, 2 hr, 16bb, 20k, .333
Here are his splits from after his late-season promotion to TEX:
Aug/Sept. 36 games, 142 abs, 41 hits, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 6 hr, 7 bb, 36 k, .308
His k rate was cut in half upon his return to TEX. His walk rate was approximately the same.
The kid understands his holes and he’s working hard to fix them. I like that in a young player. I am not a Rangers guy at all … but I really like watching Davis evolve.
"Most overrated prospect in the minors." -- Bravesin07 on Madison Bumgarner
True, but ...
His production was strong and had been strong for two months. I don’t think he’s going to be a walk guy at any point, but it’s clear that he’s making progress.
"Most overrated prospect in the minors." -- Bravesin07 on Madison Bumgarner
by criminal type on Feb 23, 2010 11:49 AM EST up reply actions
Slight edge to Davis
LaPorta has the bigtime D-1 college pedigree and will definately hit for a higher average, but Davis’ power and defense (if he can stick at first) give him the edge. Davis is over a year younger as well. Not saying this is a runaway, but Davis’ upside is worth the risk to take him over LaPorta
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