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Draft Pick Discussion Thread, Rounds 1-5

colbyjack
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jwaltz College Ball

jwaltz

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You've got to be kidding me. The guy was drafted in the 14th round last year. He didn't up his stock that much. Plus he doesn't have a position. He's like Aubrey Huff in that instead of a natural position he has a least unnatural position.
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MillerParkSouth Draft Eligible

MillerParkSouth

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7 Milwaukee Brewers Matt LaPorta 1B Florida

The Brewers the nice thing about taking LaPorta as a developed college guy is that he could suddenly have some trade value down the road. LaPorta is a well-developed college hitter with good strength. He makes consistently hard contact and gets good extension through the ball. He is for the most part a finished product who should get through the minor leagues very quickly, but may have limited upside. He should be an everyday first baseman early in his major league career, although Prince Fielder looks to be the Brewers' first baseman of both now and the future. He figures to be a Greg Colbrunn/Scott Hatteberg type player.

 

I don't get it. Good hitter, should move quick, but is limited to the position that our best player plays? Uh...Doug?...Jack?...anyone?

"I wish him the best. I hope he finds peace and happiness in his life and is able to enjoy his life. I wish him the best." - Ryan Braun on Kirk Gibson 6/17/14
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gregmag Draft Eligible

gregmag

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On ESPN they're talking about him as a tradeability pick, but that seems like one of those "best laid plans" game that smart people don't play. Patrick, you talk a lot about how Jack Z. likes to take the best of some tool. Is that the story here -- the brain trust sees La Porta as the best power bat in the draft, and they'll worry about his LF defense later? Because I'm always complaining about the prep pitchers, but even I prefer a prep pitcher to a DH.

 

Greg.

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colbyjack Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

colbyjack

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He came to Florida as a catcher. He's a Pat Burrell type, big-time power, walks a ton, will never win any awards for his defense, but that shouldn't matter much. A huge 3TO type of player, although he did an incredible job cutting back on his strikeouts this year after an extremely disappointing junior year, which followed a monster sophomore season when he led the nation in home runs.

 

He's a college senior, and will likely love signing for slot value at that spot, despite being advised by Boras. If he opens the season in Helena, he is going to put up some incredibly gaudy numbers there, although it wouldn't surprise me to see him join the offensive juggernaut at WV.

 

Very surprising selection, but he opened my top 30 a year ago at #4, and was in the top 30 at one point this year.

 

In my mind, it's a better, and much more safe pick, than any of the prep pitchers on the board. The Brewers drafted him as a LF, so it seems as though that is where he'll be groomed.

 

EDIT: Greg, I haven't seen you around in a while. Yes, LaPorta's power is among the best in the nation. Take a look at how many offensive categories LaPorta was at or near the top here:

 

www.boydsworld.com/data/leaderboard.html

 

First in OBP, fifth in SLG, 2nd in OPS.

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Never Outhustled First Round Pick

Never Outhustled

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I'd be willing to bet good money that Laporta has a predraft deal, and the Brewers did what they do best, save money. The Brewers have been frugile in the draft in the past, and that continues.

 

Laporta is a really good hitter, far better than Wieters has been. He could be in the majors by the end of next season.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"88.6% of all statistics are made up right there on the spot" Todd Snider

 

-Posted by the fan formerly known as X ellence. David Stearns has brought me back..

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homer MVP

homer

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Quote:
LaPorta is a big, strong left-handed power-hitting first baseman.

 

Is he a lefty or a righty?

"Dustin Pedroia doesn't have the strength or bat speed to hit major-league pitching consistently, and he has no power......He probably has a future as a backup infielder if he can stop rolling over to third base and shortstop." Keith Law, 2006
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BrewCrewRising Draft Eligible

BrewCrewRising

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Baseball America's take on Matt LaPorta

 

I had heard Jim Powell saying that the Brewers were not going to draft for need, so as far as drafting a 1B when you have a great one, I guess it was a matter of either having trading currency, or hoping he can play other positions. The link above seems to imply that he has adequate skills at defense (or at least for a Brewer's caliber defense.)

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IIAY College Ball

IIAY

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On the bright side, I remember hearing a LOT of these same comments five years ago after our first round pick...

 

- Why did we pick a guy that will most likely end up as a DH?

- Are we moving back to the American Leauge?

- Sure he's got power, but can he cut it in the field?

 

I'd say that pick turned out pretty well.

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Yount19 College Ball

Yount19

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In an interview Colby posted in the other thread:

 

LaPorta was drafted in the 14th round out of high school by the Chicago Cubs, which was his favorite team growing up).

 

 

Great, we drafted a Cubs fan.. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif No wonder he's all ready hated!

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