Matthew LaPorta
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Matthew LaPorta | |
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Current Team | Huntsville Stars |
No. | 3 |
League | |
Date of birth | January 8, 1985 |
Place of birth | Port Charlotte, Florida |
Height | 6' 2" |
Weight | 210 |
Bats | Right |
Throws | Right |
Position | Left Field |
College | University of Florida |
Drafted | 2007 Round 1, 7th Overall by the Milwaukee Brewers |
Awards | 2005 & 2007 SEC Player of the Year[1] |
Teams |
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Matthew Vincent LaPorta (born January 8, 1985 in Port Charlotte, Florida) is a left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers organization. He was drafted 7th overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft out of the University of Florida.[2]
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[edit] Early life
LaPorta attended Charlotte High School in his hometown after transferring from Port Charlotte High. He played quarterback on his freshman football team for the pirates. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 14th round of the 2003 amateur baseball draft but chose to play baseball at the University of Florida instead. He had a breakthrough his sophomore year, garnering All-American honors as he helped lead the team to the 2005 College World Series final. Both LaPorta and the team struggled in 2006, as his batting average dipped from .328 to .259. LaPorta was drafted in the 14th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft by the Boston Red Sox, but he chose to stay at Florida for his senior year, which paid off when he earned his second All-American nod despite the team's continued struggles. LaPorta batted .402 with 20 home runs his senior season with the Gators.[3] Also Laporta picked up the SEC Player of the Year Honor.[4]
[edit] Pro career
[edit] 2007 Draft
LaPorta was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers with the 7th overall pick of the 2007 First Year Player Draft. The Milwaukee Brewers agreed on June 25 to a contract with Matt LaPorta, giving the seventh selection in this year's amateur draft a signing bonus of about $2 million. [5]
[edit] 2007 Season
After rehabilitating his leg, Laporta was sent to the Brewers Rookie League Affiliate, the Helena Brewers. In his first at bat as a professional player, Laporta blasted a home run. He played 7 games with Helena at left-field and as Designated Hitter. Then in August he was moved up to the Brewers A affiliate, the West Virginia Power. Laporta had success playing A ball, hitting 10 home runs in 23 games during the regular season.[6] Like in Helena, he played mostly Left-Field and Designated Hitter. The Power went on to make the South Atlantic League play-offs and advanced to the finale, but lost to the Columbus Catfish in a best of 5 game series. Laporta was selected by the Brewers to represent them in the Arizona Fall League. He impressed many people playing with the Mesa Solar Sox while playing in 30 games and had 6 home runs, which was tied for the most in the league.[7]
[edit] 2008 Season
In January, the Brewers announced that LaPorta would be invited to Spring Training.[8] On the opening day game for the Huntsville Stars, LaPorta hit a grand slam.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ 2005: SEC Announces Annual Baseball Honors
- ^ MLB.com 2007 Draft Tracker
- ^ LaPorta's player Bio @ Gatorzone.com
- ^ Laporta wins 2007 SEC Player of the Year award
- ^ Brewers agree to deal with seventh overall pick LaPorta
- ^ Minor League Baseball web site, Laporta's information page
- ^ Arizona Fall League: 2007 Stats
- ^ LaPorta invited to spring training
- ^ LaPorta starts season with a bang