Maybe Move LaPorta to catcher?

[BrewPackBuck]

I think he was scouted by Florida as a Catcher so why not stick him back there while he is still in the minors to see what he has. I know this isnt a PS2 game that you can move players around willy nilly but I think if he sticks then you can have LaPorta at C, Prince at 1st, Weeks at 2nd, Hardy at SS, Hall at 3rd, Braun at LF, Hart at CF, and Gamel at RF. Idk I like Gamels bat and hope he comes up and becomes a good player and hopefully he figures out his defensive woes at 3rd. Its just something to think about.

 

EDIT: clarified title - BtA

[DrWood]

only way laporta moves to C is if his bat is marginal as a corner OF.

[TooLiveBrew]

Given that he played 1B at Florida, I think it's a safe bet that his throwing arm isn't the best... and iirc that's been discussed about him on here before.

 

Honestly, after seeing how 'not tall' Matt is (from the Winter Warm-up notes/video/reports), LF is probably his best position. I know others have suggested that Mat Gamel, not LaPorta, is our 1B post-Prince - Gamel is significantly taller (and a lefty).

[colbyjack]

There's nothing wrong with LaPorta's throwing arm. He may have stayed behind the plate longer at Florida if it weren't for the presence of Brian Jeroloman, who was considered a very strong defensive catcher.

 

However, I don't think that is in his future, unless as DrWood suggested it's a way to somehow salvage his career if he doesn't pan out (a la Eric Munson). If he were to be groomed as a catcher his development time would be severely slowed, and it would have needed to have been a move that was made right away. The guy hasn't caught for over 4 years now.

 

And while Gamel bats lefty, he throws righty (which is why he plays 3B), so that doesn't really have a bearing on him vs. LaPorta at 1B.

[TooLiveBrew]

There's nothing wrong with LaPorta's throwing arm. He may have stayed behind the plate longer at Florida if it weren't for the presence of Brian Jeroloman, who was considered a very strong defensive catcher.

Thanks for clarifying... and in general, pwning the crap outta my post! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[sheetswannabe]

While it would be lovely, to have LaPorta catch, I doubt it will ever happen, but hey, it worth a shot.

[erbacaine04]

There is no way he returns to Catcher....he has already had injury problems.... plus he is bigger now then he was when he first played catcher... Bill Hall has a better chance to be Catcher then Laporta.

[JoeHova]

like has been pointed out, this would only really make sense if LaPorta isn't good enough to crack the Brewers as an outfielder or be used as trade bait. It would be sweet if he could still catch though. Although if he could, he may have been gone by #7.

[soundsradio]

Since the excitement about LaPorta centers around his offensive skills I would hesitate to have him learn a new position that could take away from that development and with the strain catching puts on a body, could limit his best years. Catchers are more likely to develop bad knees, hips and backs as well as busted fingers. Thos injuries could take away the best part of his game.

[bullox]

While it would be lovely, to have LaPorta catch, I doubt it will ever happen, but hey, it worth a shot.

I do, really, agree, yes, mmhmm, yep.