Following LaPorta, Jackson, Bryson, Hammond, Ford -- Latest: Bryson on Brewers' MRI Reluctance

[battlekow]

LaPorta's first game for Akron got rained out, as did Rob Bryson with Lake County.

 

Zach Jackson contributed in a Buffalo shutout win.

[bretsky07]

I think I'll miss you most of all, PTBNL...

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Aeros welcome LaPorta

Left fielder in trade gets three hits in split with Baysox

By Stephanie Storm

Akron Beacon Journal sportswriter

 

He didn't hit a home run.

 

That's the first thing most Indians fans want to know after Matt LaPorta played his first two games as an Indians minor-leaguer at Double-A Akron Wednesday.

 

But the new left fielder did combine to go 3-for-6 with three singles in the Aeros' doubleheader split against the Bowie Baysox at Canal Park.

 

Just two days after joining the Indians organization as the centerpiece of the trade that sent CC Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers, LaPorta legged out an infield single in the first game and lined two solid shots through the left side in the nightcap.

 

''It was just another game in a new ballpark with a different team,'' LaPorta said, shrugging off the night's significance.

 

And the Aeros did hit home runs - second baseman Josh Rodriguez and catcher Wyatt Toregas' homers combined to lead the Aeros to a 3-0 win in the first game before the Baysox came back for a 5-0 win in the second game.

 

But it was LaPorta on whom many eyes were focused. LaPorta hit 20 home runs at Double-A Huntsville in the Southern League and came to town with rather large expectations for a 23-year-old who has never played above the Double-A level.

 

''I suppose everyone expects him to hit four homers today,'' Aeros manager Mike Sarbaugh said before the doubleheader. ''But we just want him to settle in and get comfortable.''

 

After striking out looking in his first at-bat in the first inning, LaPorta sent a shot back up the middle in his second at-bat in the third.

 

The ball bounced oddly enough off the mound that he was able to leg out a base hit - but just barely.

 

Of all the things LaPorta is reported to do well - and there are plenty of them - it's obvious that running with any kind of speed is not one of them.

 

That is is why LaPorta, 6-foot-2, 210-pounder, is a first baseman by nature. The Brewers converted him to an outfielder because Prince Fielder is their first baseman.

 

''For now, he's going to be playing left field and hitting in the middle of the lineup,'' Sarbaugh said. ''We are going to be doing some early first-base work just to keep him fresh, but he's going to be an outfielder for now.''

 

Although he hasn't played much left field, he looked comfortable out there in both games. And as the night wore on, he increasingly looked more comfortable at the plate.

 

''Going in, it looked like he was trying a little too hard, just trying to do too much,'' Sarbaugh said. ''Then he settled down and had a couple good hits.''

 

In the second game, the Brewers No.1 pick (seventh overall) in the 2007 draft hit both singles with two outs, the second breaking his bat.

 

''I haven't played in three or four games, so I was really just going out there trying to get my timing back,'' LaPorta said.

[wvpowerblkwel]

Bryson's first night of work with the Captains 2.0IP 2 Hits 0BB 0K 0Runs. Worked out of a little jam with the hits coming consecutively but a caught stealing and a ground ball ended the threat. Not bad for a new guy in a new town!

[jaybird2001wi]

First off, this is probably the most terrible picture I have ever seen taken of Matt LaPorta, but its what is posted on the Akron Aeros website announcing the deal.

 

But it does look weird already seeing him in another jersey.

 

Some Indian fans at various forums don't seem too happy with LaPorta and wish they received more or perhaps made a deal with another team for their prospects. I will provide links when it comes to me.

[Mass Haas]

Matt is singling opponents to death in Akron, 2-for-5 Thursday evening, now 5-for-11.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Bryson relieved to return to relief

By Andrew Gribble / MLB.com

EASTLAKE, Ohio -- When Rob Bryson has too much time to think, too much time for his nerves to twitter or, simply, too much time to stretch, he gets a little antsy.

So it makes sense that Bryson, one of four prospects the Tribe acquired from the Brewers for CC Sabathia, didn't like the four- to five-day buildup that came with being a starting pitcher.

"I think having preparation is what messes me up," Bryson said. "I like getting the call 'Hey, you're getting the ball right now.' You go in there and your adrenaline's going, and you give them what you got for however long is left in the game."

With the Class A Lake County Captains, Bryson will get that adrenaline boost often, although he will somewhat see it coming. The 20-year-old right-hander will pitch in a "priority role," getting the call every third day to throw at least two innings per outing.

Captains manager Aaron Holbert said Bryson, who saved five games with the low Class A West Virginia Power, will not step in as the team's closer right away, but did not rule it out in the near future.

Indians farm director Ross Atkins said that the team abstains from "grooming closers," so even if Bryson does pick up a save or two, fans shouldn't view it as an omen. Atkins also wouldn't rule out the possibility of Bryson returning to a starting role at some point.

Regardless, Bryson certainly has the makings of a closer.

His fastball hums in around the mid-90s and his slider serves as his out pitch. But that's it for now, at least. Bryson said he is trying to develop a changeup, but he remains a ways from being a legitimate three-pitch pitcher.

It hasn't stopped Bryson from being effective. In 22 appearances, five starts, with the Power this season, Bryson walked just 20 batters while striking out 73, an average of 11.9 per nine innings pitched.

"Youth, strikeouts, power, athleticism. Those are the things that jumped out of us," Atkins said. "You don't typically find that type of power with those strikeout numbers."

Bryson was drafted out of high school by the Brewers in the 31st round of the 2006 Draft and signed one year later as a draft-and-follow out of Seminole Community College in Florida. He didn't see any bullpen action until joining the rookie league Helena Brewers last summer, but has started sparingly since then.

He doesn't particularly miss it.

"As a starter, you have to pace yourself, pitch to contact and not give them your best stuff until you're in a jam," Bryson said. "As a bullpen guy, what you see is what you get. I just give them my best stuff right off the bat."

The pressure to give the Captains his best stuff off the bat certainly weighs on Bryson, especially with him being part of the trade for Sabathia, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner.

"Obviously, I'm kind of under the microscope right now," Bryson said. "If I don't succeed and don't have success and don't pitch well, then obviously the Indians made a mistake."

Holbert, who sees a number of players come in and out of his clubhouse throughout the year, said he and his coaching staff will pay close attention to Bryson, making sure he's comfortable in his new environment and not trying too hard to impress.

"There's a lot of expectations on the kid for being in that trade," Holbert said. "But even if he was just traded for a box of baseballs, you want to prove to your new team that you're worthy of being traded for that box of baseballs."

Shortly before Bryson found out he was headed to Ohio, Power manager Jeff Isom called Bryson into his office to tell him he had been promoted to the Brevard County Manatees, the Brewers' advanced Class A team. Atkins said it was in Bryson's "best interests" to start with the Indians at lower Class A so that his playing field could be "as level as possible" in coming to a new organization.

Bryson said he has no hard feelings about the demotion of sorts, because he's still a long way from making the big leagues.

"The way I look at it, no matter where I go, I have to put up numbers," Bryson said. "If I just do it again here, hopefully I'll be back up [to advanced Class A].

"I want to give the Indians what they traded for."

[battlekow]

LaPorta hit a go-ahead two-out two-run homer in the ninth inning to beat Reading. His first HR since the trade.

[Mass Haas]

That is so clutch, good for him. It'll get plenty of attention in Cleveland, would be more so if it had happened in a home game in Akron. Wow.

[Mass Haas]

LaPorta Delivers with Glove, Bat in 3-2 Win

 

READING, PA - Matt LaPorta socked a two-run homer with two outs in the top of the ninth and drove in all three runs as Akron earned a 3-2 comeback win over Reading before 7,681 fans at FirstEnegery Stadium Friday night.

 

The game remained scoreless until the top of the fifth, when Josh Rodriguez led off with a triple to dead center field. Two batters later, LaPorta rolled a grounder to third to score Rodriguez and give the Aeros a 1-0 advantage.

 

Reading got the run back in the bottom of the frame, as Neil Sellers led off with a double to right. Brad Harman grounded out however, and then LaPorta saved a run with a magnificent catch in deep left, timing his leap perfectly and hauling in Mike Eylward's drive before crashing into the wall. LaPorta was shaken briefly, but remained in the game.

 

Akron was undeterred however, and the top of the ninth got off to an auspicious start when Golson slipped in center field as Brandon Pinckney's routine fly ball turned into a leadoff double. A wild pitch moved Pinckney to third with one out, but Phillies closer Patrick Overholt struck out Bronson Sardinha looking for the second out. After taking a strike however, LaPorta crushed Overholt's next offering way over the fence in left-center for the winning margin and his first home run as a member of the Indians organization.

[Mass Haas]

Jerry Crasnick ESPN Feature on Matt LaPorta

 

Sporting News Feature on Matt

[Mass Haas]

Zach Jackson two scoreless on Sunday, he's now worked three times for Buffalo, allowing one run in 5.2 innings.

 

Rob Bryson took the loss in his second Lake County appearance, allowing three runs in the final inning --

 

Asheville Top 6th

• - Pitcher Change: Rob Bryson replaces Ryan Morris.
• - Helder Velazquez flies out to center fielder Lucas Montero.
• - Jeffrey Cunningham flies out to center fielder Lucas Montero.
• - David Christensen grounds out, shortstop Mark Thompson to first baseman Richard Martinez.

Asheville Top 7th

• - Beau Seabury walks.
• - Michael Mitchell walks. Beau Seabury to 2nd.
• - With Everth Cabrera batting, Beau Seabury steals (2) 3rd base.
• - With Everth Cabrera batting, Michael Mitchell steals (38) 2nd base.
• - Everth Cabrera out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Lucas Montero. Beau Seabury scores. Michael Mitchell to 3rd.
• - Kevin Clark strikes out swinging.
• - Darin Holcomb homers (13) on a fly ball to left field. Michael Mitchell scores.
• - Brian Rike strikes out swinging.

[DHonks]

What's interesting is that multiple sources have hinted that this trade is very unique. It sounds like Cleveland has a short list of players. However, based on how Sabathia does, the Indians can add additional players to the list. So as of now the list might be Lucroy or Cain. But if Sabathia does well (as he seems to be), the Indians would be able to add names to the pool, perhaps including Green, Brantley, or Salome

[battlekow]

Slugger in Sabathia trade making good first impression

7/17/2008 - West Side Leader

By Craig Marks

 

DOWNTOWN AKRON - Matt LaPorta made no promises. The key player received by the Cleveland Indians in the CC Sabathia trade did not vow to lead the team to the promised land, nor did he speak of the day when his statue would be placed next to Bob Feller's.

What the slugger said, in his first appearance since joining the organization, can be boiled down to this: He's going to give it all he's got.

"You just have to go out there and do your job, and you can't worry about the expectations that people put on you," said LaPorta, when asked if he felt pressure. "You've got to go out there and stay within yourself and play hard everyday."

LaPorta was speaking to dozens of media members in a snug Canal Park hallway July 7. Rain had pushed the press conference indoors and would lead to the cancellation of the scheduled Aeros game. LaPorta took his first swings as an Akron Aero the next evening, going 3-6 in a doubleheader.

The Brewers traded LaPorta, right-hander Rob Bryson, left-hander Zach Jackson and a player to be named later for Sabathia, the left-handed ace who won the American League Cy Young Award in 2007. With the Indians' '08 campaign a lost cause and Sabathia wishing to find his worth on the free-agent market after the season, the pitcher's departure was not a surprise.

"It's a great honor to be traded for CC," said LaPorta. "He's an outstanding player, and he's going to be great for the Milwaukee Brewers. We're both ballplayers, and we're both out here to do a job, and I'm thankful for this opportunity."

LaPorta was asked what he could bring to the Indians.

"I think I can bring my enthusiasm and hard work to the team," he said. "And hopefully, my bat."

While enthusiasm and hard work are always welcome, it will be LaPorta's offensive output that will provide the final verdict on the trade. He comes with an impressive résumé. He was twice named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year while playing for the University of Florida. The publication Baseball America named him the Brewers' best prospect before the season. At the time of the trade, LaPorta had 20 home runs and 68 RBIs.

For the Aeros, LaPorta started this week batting .375 (6-16) with one home run and four RBIs. In the annual Futures Game July 13 held at Yankee Stadium, he singled and walked.

LaPorta, 23, grew up in Port Charlotte, Fla., where the Texas Rangers prepare for each season.

"I wasn't a Texas fan, but I was a spring training fan," he said. "I would go out there and watch every game they had. A couple of my buddies and I would shag all the balls on the field and use them for our batting practice."

The Indians' hope is that, in a year or so, LaPorta will be depositing balls in the bleachers of major-league ballparks. If so, it won't just be the recipients of the souvenirs who'll be beaming.

http://www.akron.com/newsImages/20080717000000/image/Sports_Matt-LaPorta.jpgPhoto: Craig Marks

Matt LaPorta, who was obtained by the Cleveland Indians in the CC Sabathia trade, speaks to media last week before playing a game as an Akron Aero.

[Mass Haas]

Zach Jackson a scoreless inning (2 H, 2 K) in a blowout win.

Rob Bryson (Thursday) a shaky outing (1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 0 K, next reliever stranded his two runners).

Matt LaPorta still away with a family situation post-Futures Game.

[Kevbo74]

Matt LaPorta still away with a family situation post-Futures Game.

That's the first I've heard about why he hasn't been playing. I'm guessing there aren't any more details?

We were beginning to assume that he was doing something with a small USA team squad already. I made a bet with a Cleveland fan - CC's win total vs. Laporta's home run total since the trade. (winner gets some nice baseball cards) Since I've been pulling away on that bet 3-1, Matt's absence has been a concern. Are there anymore details to that? Or a link to any story on his situation?

[BoKnowsBall]

I believe that I read somewhere that there was a death in the family

[Mass Haas]

Matt LaPorta 0-for-3 (one RBI on a sac fly, one K) in his return to the lineup.

[Mass Haas]

Matt LaPorta singled and walked; note that former draft pick that got away Deik Scram is having a surprisingly mediocre season with Detroit's AA club.

 

Back-to-back two-out fielding errors by his Lake County teammates led to Rob Bryson allowing three unearned runs in his two-inning stint Sunday.

[Mass Haas]

Zach Jackson pitched well in a four-inning start Monday night.

 

Matt LaPorta was 1-for-7 with one RBI, one K, in a doubleheader for Akron.

 

This will also be the Steve Hammond (Fresno) and Darren Ford (San Jose) thread.

[battlekow]

Zach Jackson pitched well in a four-inning start Monday night.

 

Matt LaPorta was 1-for-7 with one RBI, one K, in a doubleheader for Akron.

 

This will also be the Steve Hammond (Fresno) and Darren Ford (San Jose) thread.

Don't forget poor [x]!

 

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Grizzlies' new guy gets victory

By Bryant-Jon Anteola / The Fresno Bee

 

"New guy" is a fluid label in the Fresno Grizzlies clubhouse this season.

 

Through 102 games, 51 different players have played for the Grizzlies.

 

So it was somewhat understandable that Grizzlies manager Dan Rohn donned a confused look when asked to talk about "the new guy."

 

"Which one?" Rohn said.

 

The latest player to join Fresno would be Steve Hammond, who was the winning pitcher in the Grizzlies' 3-2 victory against the Salt Lake Bees on Monday at Chukchansi Park.

 

Pitching despite traveling half of the day and operating on just 30 minutes of sleep Sunday night, Hammond pitched two scoreless innings in relief and gave up just one hit and one walk in his Grizzlies debut.

 

In the process, Hammond (1-4) picked up his first win in Triple-A.

 

"I'm just going on adrenaline," Hammond said. "It's been a long, long day. But it's exciting to be part of a new organization and play right away."

 

Hammond was one of two players the San Francisco Giants acquired in their trade that sent second baseman Ray Durham to the Milwaukee Brewers.

 

Hammond began the year in Double-A with the Huntsville Stars and went 7-4 with a 3.45 ERA, then moved up to Triple-A with the Nashville Sounds and went 0-4 with a 7.41 ERA.

 

Hammond had been scheduled to start for the Sounds on Sunday but saw his name wasn't on the scorecard. When he went into the manager's office, he asked why he wasn't starting and was told he had been traded.

 

But there was a catch. He wasn't told which team was getting him.

 

So he spent all of Sunday's game and part of a bus ride back to Nashville wondering where his next destination would be before finally finding out his new team was the Giants.

 

"I was just so shocked," Hammond said.

 

He immediately began collecting his belongings in his apartment, took a 4:30 a.m. flight to get to Fresno by 8:30 a.m. and waited in the stadium's clubhouse until the 7:05 p.m. game time arrived.

 

"If he's going to be around, I wanted to pitch him," Rohn said. "When something like that happens to a player, they play on adrenaline and they usually do great.

 

"I thought he looked cool, calm, and collected out there. He was good."

 

Box Score / Game Recap

[Mass Haas]

Matt LaPorta an 0-for-5 night, no K's

 

Darren Ford is making his debut tonight in San Jose -- groundout to short, called out on strikes, walk, stolen base, scored on a double -- final update later...

 

EDIT: Ford walked again in the 8th...

[Mass Haas]

Matt LaPorta doubled and scored a run, one K, in four AB's.

 

Darren Ford 0-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt.

[wvpowerblkwel]

Rob Bryson had a strong outing last nite with only an error by the 3rd baseman keeping him from 2 perfect innings! Only 1 hit and one BB in his last two outings with 5 k's!