Real or Illusion: Matt LaPorta recent success

[bradical]

Since getting recalled from AAA Columbus on 6/27, LaPorta is 24/68 (.353) with 4 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, and 12 RBIs. With the trade of Branyan (back) to Seattle, LaPorta can now be the everyday first-baseman and finally get some regular AB during a consistent time frame.

As a frame of reference, prior to his demotion on June 6, LaPorta was batting .218 with 4 doubles, 0 triples, 1 HR, and 7 RBIs.

Is he for real, or just an illusion?

 

[Jaypers]

You left off the "Deity" option.

 

[JoshHamilton]

Guess Jesus Christ CAN hit a curveball

 

[bradical]

You left off the "Deity" option.

Thought that was a given, per FCB Rule #42.335b.

 

[muchuckwagon]

Keep in mind, he was not completely healthy when he started the season. The mini-vacation to Columbus seemed to restore his confidence...he hit 5 dingers in 18 games and has been on fire ever since.

I don't think he keeps up the recent pace and I don't think he falls to the level he was at to start the season....I think becomes a solid starter but not an elite player.

Alex Gordon is in the same boat...will he continue his AAA dominance when he gets back to the bigs?

 

[bradical]

Alex Gordon is in the same boat...will he continue his AAA dominance when he gets back to the bigs?

Gordon has been struggling lately at AAA Omaha.

 

[Vagrant]

Alex Gordon is in the same boat...will he continue his AAA dominance when he gets back to the bigs?

Gordon has been struggling lately at AAA Omaha.

Not uncommon when you send a player down for a "conditioning stint" so to speak, leave them down too long when they're raking, and they get disillusioned by the whole process.

The Royals have had such terrible player development that this does not surprise me in the least.

 

[bradical]

2 for 4 again today.

 

[mudflap02]

They're illusions, Michael.

Tricks are something a ***** does for money. Or candy!

 

[ThoseBackPages]

Id like to see him keep it up.

 

[ahodge84]

Id like to see him keep it up.

Yeah, that's what she said. So often...

 

[ThoseBackPages]

Id like to see him keep it up.

Yeah, that's what she said. So often...

Sorry to hear she says that to you brother! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[ahodge84]

Id like to see him keep it up.

Yeah, that's what she said. So often...

Sorry to hear she says that to you brother! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Yeah, so often that the words ring in my head at all hours of the day. I'll be checking into the asylum before too long :?

 

[cgilmo]

Guys I know some of you are new here but let's at least try and keep it clean.

 

[ahodge84]

Guys I know some of you are new here but let's at least try and keep it clean.

Ah, what can I say, Gilmo? I have a slightly dirty mind. I'll try to keep it PG... I guess

 

[pigskincardboard]

They're illusions, Michael.

Tricks are something a ***** does for money. Or candy!

oh gob.

[youtube:865n7qn7]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76Fk6Y7T_YU[/youtube:865n7qn7]

 

[Lars]

He is never going to be a superstar in a sense where he is going to be putting up Miguel Cabrera numbers for the next four or five years, but he is probably going to have a couple of borderline all-star seasons in his prime.

He is going to be a J.D. Drew type hitter [from the right side of course] - valuable when healthy.

Health is what is going to make or break him.

Since getting recalled from AAA Columbus on 6/27, LaPorta is 24/68 (.353) with 4 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, and 12 RBIs. With the trade of Branyan (back) to Seattle, LaPorta can now be the everyday first-baseman and finally get some regular AB during a consistent time frame.

As a frame of reference, prior to his demotion on June 6, LaPorta was batting .218 with 4 doubles, 0 triples, 1 HR, and 7 RBIs.

Is he for real, or just an illusion?

 

[pigskincardboard]

He is never going to be a superstar in a sense where he is going to be putting up Miguel Cabrera numbers for the next four or five years, but he is probably going to have a couple of borderline all-star seasons in his prime.

He is going to be a J.D. Drew type hitter [from the right side of course] - valuable when healthy.

Health is what is going to make or break him.

Since getting recalled from AAA Columbus on 6/27, LaPorta is 24/68 (.353) with 4 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, and 12 RBIs. With the trade of Branyan (back) to Seattle, LaPorta can now be the everyday first-baseman and finally get some regular AB during a consistent time frame.

As a frame of reference, prior to his demotion on June 6, LaPorta was batting .218 with 4 doubles, 0 triples, 1 HR, and 7 RBIs.

Is he for real, or just an illusion?

You can't even compare a young Miguel Cabrera to Miguel Cabrera. For every Miguel Cabrera that succeeds there's at least a few that have borderline All-Star careers and a couple that can barely stick as regulars. Even guys like Heyward and Dom Brown, Weiters too, you can't really predict greatness. Everything's there for them to be very good players but whether or not they get to Top-5 in the league is as good as random.

With that said, LaPorta's probably got a 1-2% chance of rising to Cabrera levels.

 

[All The Hype]

I'm just happy to see them making a move to show they are committed to using him as a regular and getting him daily action. I believe he'll be a very good player and will probably make a few all-star teams. Power and overall hitting like he showed in the Minors doesn't just disappear.