Biographical

Portrait of Matt LaPorta

Matt LaPorta 1B

Player Cards | Team Audit | Depth Chart

Career Summary
Years PA AVG OBP SLG DRC+ WARP
7 1068 .238 .301 .393 97 -1.9
Birth Date1-8-1985
Height6' 2"
Weight215 lbs
Age39 years, 2 months, 11 days
BatsR
ThrowsR
WARP Summary

MLB Statistics

YEAR TEAM AGE G PA H 2B 3B HR BB SO HBP SB CS AVG OBP SLG DRC+ DRAA BRR FRAA BWARP
2009 CLE 24 52 198 46 13 0 7 12 37 3 2 0 .254 .308 .442 97 -0.1 0.3 0.2 0.4
2010 CLE 25 110 425 83 15 1 12 46 82 1 0 0 .221 .306 .362 98 -0.6 -2.7 -13.3 -1.3
2011 CLE 26 107 385 87 23 1 11 23 87 5 1 0 .247 .299 .412 99 0.2 -5.6 -6.9 -0.9
2012 CLE 27 22 60 14 2 0 1 1 17 1 0 0 .241 .267 .328 76 -1.7 0.1 -0.4 -0.1
Career291106823053231822231030.238.301.39397-2.1-7.9-20.4-1.9

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg LG G PA oppAVG oppOBP oppSLG BABIP BPF BRAA repLVL POS_ADJ DRC+ DRC+ SD FRAA BRR DRAA BWARP
2007 WVA A SAL 23 102 .259 .339 .409 .321 106 11.2 3.7 -1.3 170 0 4.4 -0.8 11.0 1.7
2007 HEL Rk PIO 7 28 .266 .340 .382 .294 104 0.2 0.9 -0.4 95 0 0.6 0.1 -1.5 0.0
2008 AKR AA EAS 17 67 .261 .335 .399 .261 101 2.2 2.9 -0.8 121 0 3.8 -0.2 1.2 0.7
2008 HUN AA SOU 84 366 .269 .345 .406 .306 109 16.5 10.5 -3.9 142 0 -0.6 0.1 13.8 2.0
2009 CLE MLB AL 52 198 .266 .330 .423 .281 103 -0.7 5.7 -2 97 12 0.2 0.3 -0.1 0.4
2009 COH AAA INT 93 393 .264 .333 .401 .316 116 10.3 11.2 -5.3 147 0 -7.5 -1.4 19.9 1.6
2010 CLE MLB AL 110 425 .259 .323 .405 .250 107 -12.2 11.7 -7.2 98 10 -13.3 -2.7 -0.6 -1.3
2010 COH AAA INT 18 81 .284 .348 .450 .370 109 6.5 2.5 -1.1 166 0 -1.1 -1.0 5.9 0.5
2011 CLE MLB AL 107 385 .256 .321 .399 .293 102 1.7 10.4 -6.6 99 10 -6.9 -5.6 0.2 -0.9
2011 COH AAA INT 2 9 .274 .346 .418 .429 119 0.6 0.3 -0.2 123 0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0
2012 CLE MLB AL 22 60 .248 .308 .395 .325 102 -3.1 1.6 -1 76 10 -0.4 0.1 -1.7 -0.1
2012 COH AAA INT 101 434 .250 .324 .381 .285 109 4.7 12.9 -7 118 0 -2.8 -1.4 8.9 1.0
2013 COH AAA INT 44 185 .255 .324 .383 .230 101 2.6 5.3 -3.4 106 0 -3.1 -1.0 -1.2 -0.3
2013 CLE Rk AZL 13 52 .254 .321 .372 .276 98 6.2 1.6 -1 160 0 0.7 0.1 0.8 0.2

Statistics For All Levels

Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
Year Team lvl LG PA AB R H 2B 3B HR TB RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG ISO SF SH
2007 HEL Rk PIO 28 27 4 7 1 0 2 14 4 1 8 0 0 .259 .286 .519 .259 0 0
2007 WVA A SAL 102 88 18 28 8 0 10 66 27 7 22 0 1 .318 .400 .750 .432 0 0
2008 AKR AA EAS 67 60 6 14 1 0 2 21 8 4 12 0 0 .233 .303 .350 .117 0 0
2008 HUN AA SOU 366 302 56 87 23 2 20 174 66 45 63 2 1 .288 .406 .576 .288 0 0
2009 CLE MLB AL 198 181 29 46 13 0 7 80 21 12 37 2 0 .254 .308 .442 .188 2 0
2009 COH AAA INT 393 338 63 101 23 2 17 179 60 42 56 1 3 .299 .390 .530 .231 1 1
2010 COH AAA INT 81 69 7 25 4 0 5 44 16 12 10 0 1 .362 .457 .638 .275 0 0
2010 CLE MLB AL 425 376 41 83 15 1 12 136 41 46 82 0 0 .221 .306 .362 .141 2 0
2011 CLE MLB AL 385 352 34 87 23 1 11 145 53 23 87 1 0 .247 .299 .412 .165 5 0
2011 COH AAA INT 9 9 2 4 0 0 1 7 3 0 1 0 0 .444 .444 .778 .333 0 0
2012 COH AAA INT 434 375 56 99 19 1 19 177 62 44 81 0 3 .264 .350 .472 .208 6 0
2012 CLE MLB AL 60 58 2 14 2 0 1 19 5 1 17 0 0 .241 .267 .328 .086 0 0
2013 COH AAA INT 185 164 21 39 9 0 10 78 28 17 30 0 0 .238 .310 .476 .238 2 0
2013 CLE Rk AZL 52 41 9 12 4 0 4 28 12 9 10 0 0 .293 .404 .683 .390 2 0

Plate Discipline

YEAR Pits Zone% Swing% Contact% Z-Swing% O-Swing% Z-Contact% O-Contact% SwStr% CSAA
2009 765 0.5137 0.4719 0.7784 0.6336 0.3011 0.8514 0.6161 0.2216 0.0069
2010 1617 0.4675 0.4811 0.7365 0.6680 0.3171 0.8495 0.5275 0.2635 -0.0030
2011 1455 0.4742 0.5093 0.7072 0.7159 0.3229 0.7895 0.5425 0.2928 -0.0044
2012 207 0.5121 0.6087 0.6429 0.7736 0.4356 0.7683 0.4091 0.3571 0.0004
Career40440.48090.49600.72910.68410.32220.82410.54360.2709-0.0015

Injury History  —  No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation
2012-10-18 2012-10-18 Off 0 0 Left Hip Surgery 2012-10-18 -
2011-08-08 2011-08-09 DTD 1 0 Left Foot Contusion HBP - -
2011-06-18 2011-07-06 15-DL 18 16 Right Ankle Sprain High Ankle -
2010-09-01 2010-09-03 DTD 2 2 Left Hip Soreness -
2010-08-30 2010-08-31 DTD 1 1 Left Hip Strain -
2010-07-06 2010-07-09 DTD 3 3 Neck Stiffness -
2010-02-28 2010-03-10 Camp 10 0 Left Hip Recovery From Surgery Impingement and Bone Spurs 2009-10-13
2009-10-13 2009-10-13 Off 0 0 Left Surgery Turf Toe 2009-10-13
2009-10-13 2009-10-13 Off 0 0 Left Hip Surgery Impingement and Bone Spurs 2009-10-13
2009-10-04 2009-10-05 DTD 1 1 Left Sprain Big Toe -
2009-09-23 2009-09-25 DTD 2 2 Left Hip Inflammation -
2008-08-19 2008-08-20 Minors 1 0 Head Concussion HBP -

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2013 CLE $
2011 CLE $431,400
2010 CLE $402,700
YearsDescriptionSalary
3 yrPrevious$834,100
3 yrTotal$834,100

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
2 y 115 dScott Boras1 year (2014)

Details
  • 1 year (2014). Signed by Baltimore as a free agent 2/6/14 (minor-league contract). Released by Baltimore 3/21/14.
  • 1 year (2013). Re-signed by Cleveland (minor-league contract).
  • 1 year (2012). Re-signed by Cleveland 2/12. Sent outright to Triple-A by Cleveland 11/20/12.
  • 1 year/$0.4314M (2011). Re-signed by Cleveland 3/8/11.
  • 1 year/$0.4027M (2010). Re-signed 3/10/10.
  • 1 year (2009). Contract purchased by Cleveland 5/2/09. Optioned to Triple-A 5/26/09. Recalled 8/19/09.
  • Acquired by Cleveland in trade from Milwaukee 7/7/08 (Sabathia deal).
  • Drafted by Milwaukee 2007 (1-7) (University of Florida). Signed 6/07, $2M signing bonus.

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT PA R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG DRC+ VORP FRAA WARP
Weighted Mean???????00??.000.000.00000.0?0.0

BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

Click here to see articles tagged with Matt LaPorta

BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2012-05-21 14:00:00 (link to chat)What are your thoughts on former prospect guys like Matt LaPorta? He's always been able to kill AAA pitching, but looks a little clueless against good off-speed and breaking pitches in the MLB. Does sending them down to AAA really ever help them?
(Jacob K. from Claremore, OK )
It does sometimes. Personally, with as bad as Kotchman has been, I think LaPorta deserves another crack. (Kevin Goldstein)
2011-09-06 14:00:00 (link to chat)If Indians are able to sustain a much closer to a healthy roster next year are they another low-key contender in the Central? Do they need to sign a RH OF/1b?
(SaberTJ from Cleveland, OH)
Ah, "The Weight." Heaven. Bliss... I think it's time to get off the Matt LaPorta bandwagon, don't you? Nearly 1000 PA later, we have .234/.300/.394. He's a career .211/.303/.326 against lefties, which is just wow. I still like Brantley a lot, but his inconsistency is a problem if he's going to be playing a corner. (Steven Goldman)
2011-06-02 13:00:00 (link to chat)Rest of the season, AL only: Derrek Lee or Matt LaPorta? Declining Vet or Yet-to-establish-himself Youngin'?
(Paul from Pennsylvania)
Close, but I'll take LaPorta in a tossup. I do kind of like Lee, though. (Derek Carty)
2011-05-18 13:00:00 (link to chat)Hey John, what are your thoughts on Mitch Moreland and Matt LaPorta for 2011?
(SnakeDoctor18 from NY)
I don't think either guy is ever going to become big home run hitters. They'll hit about 15 homers each and drive in a fair share of runs. They aren't premier first baseman but they are not complete zeros, either. (John Perrotto)
2010-09-21 13:00:00 (link to chat)Hi Marc Wanted to know whether you had some opinions as to *why* some of these players haven't developed as some of us had hoped: * BJ Upton * Matt LaPorta * Justin Masterson * Scott Sizemore * Matt Wieters Thanks.
(Phoebus from Mobile)
Upton has just not been able to keep his BABIP and batting averages high enough, but he's had plenty of power when healthy and he's been great on the basepaths. He's also a fantastic defensive player. LaPorta is a curious case, as he was supposedly all better in terms of health and his swing mechanics, but hasn't been able to consistently produce. Masterson pitches in front of a horrible defense and can't get lefties out to save his life. He could deal with the LHB thing if the defense was better, but the combination of the two has just ruined him in 2010. Sizemore has just 143 plate appearances, so let's wait on calling him a disappointment. Wieters was over hyped and has actually performed well for his position and his age, but the power just isn't there yet consistently. (Marc Normandin)
2010-05-05 13:00:00 (link to chat)Hi Marc Do you think Matt Laporta will come around this year? How long will the Indians stick with him?
(rsambrook from Vancovuer)
2009 was a good start, but he's off to a rough 2010. I think the Indians will stick with him though, because if his bat starts working like it should, the payoff will be worth the struggles. (Marc Normandin)
2010-03-15 16:00:00 (link to chat)Russ Branyan:Jake Delhomme::Matt LaPorta:Brady Quinn? (Prolly not: LaPorta can play a second position, but damn.)
(buffum from Austin TX)
Who are these Jake Delhomme and Brady Quinn of whom you speak? (yes, I know who they are...) (Russell A. Carleton)
2009-10-28 14:00:00 (link to chat)I have money to spend, but give me 3 reasons why I should buy season tickets for the Indians next season?
(Cleveland Sports Fan from Cleveland)
1) The return of Grady Sizemore
2) The likelihood that the team couldn't possibly get off to a worse start than in three of the last four years.
3) The fact that they're unlikely to trade a Cy Young winner for a third straight year.

In all honesty, I think it's going to be a lean year, but I like what they did in hiring Manny Acta, and there are several young players, starting with Matt LaPorta, whose development is worth watching. (Jay Jaffe)
2009-10-02 14:00:00 (link to chat)Does Andy Marte deserve a starting spot on the Indians next year? And what is the perception of Grady Sizemore? Still a top ten player to build around?
(Andy from Saskatoon)
He deserves consideration, anyway. The Indians' LF/1B/3B situation might need clarity, which I would provide with a long overdue trade of Jhonny Peralta. That still leaves Matt LaPorta, who ends up at first once Michael Brantley is deemed ready. Not sure Marte can fade all this competition. (Joe Sheehan)
2009-08-17 14:00:00 (link to chat)Can you concoct an explanation of why it makes sense to use a combination of an injured Trevor Crowe, a talent-limited Chris Gimenez, and adorable-but-miniscule Jamey Carroll in corner outfield slots while Matt LaPorta (and others) wander around in the wilds of Columbus? My best shots involve YouTube threats and heavy metal ingestion.
(buffum from Austin TX)
If this were the NFL, I'd say "improving your draft position". LaPorta didn't say that Shapiro "dresses like a pimp" or anything like that, did he? Otherwise, I can't explain it. LaPorta's continued presence in AAA ranks with casting Michael Caine in "Blame It On Rio" on the misallocation of resources scale. (Ken Funck)
2009-08-04 14:00:00 (link to chat)Whom do I have to injure on the Indians to get Matt LaPorta called up? Sizemore needing rest just isn't worth watching Francisco every night. Can't they just send Gimenez back down? That way they can have Franscisco available for some CF duties?
(SaberTJ from Cleveland, OH)
It's becoming a bit of a quandary, because LaPorta's disappearance into some sort of dead zone in central Ohio, just a stone's throw away from the Tribe's desperately needy lineup, is nothing short of baffling. The Gimenez thing has gone beyond silly, and they still need a left fielder. (Christina Kahrl)
2009-07-15 14:00:00 (link to chat)Can I call you Kage? Also, can you give me a reasonable answer as to why Eric Wedge won't play Matt LaPorta?
(bigrick0016 from Cleveland)
A. I prefer KG, but if that works for you, it's cool. I have a thing against "Kev" though. B. No, no I do not. (Kevin Goldstein)
2009-04-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)Matt LaPorta is raking at AAA: what do you estimate his ETA to be and who will he be taking PT from?
(KO from Pittsfield, MA)
Ben Francisco isn't an everyday player, more a fourth outfielder, so you could start there. An offense/defense platoon makes some sense with those two. LaPorta can also get time at 1B for Ryan Garko and ... well, Travis Hafner isn't quite ready to cede DH, it appears.

I'd get LaPorta up pretty soon. (Joe Sheehan)
2009-03-16 13:00:00 (link to chat)Lightning Round Question? Long term: Chris Davis (Tex) or Matt LaPorta (Cle)
(Jimmy from Crapchester)
Matt LaPorta. I remain skeptical, perhaps more than I should, about Davis' contact rate.

Jimmy says we're in the lightning round. (Joe Sheehan)
2009-03-10 14:30:00 (link to chat)Hey Joe- I'll be at work this afternoon so, regretfully, I'll miss the live chat this afternoon. If you can sqeeze in my question I'd appreciate it. What can we expect from from Matt Laporta this season? Will the Indians use him at 1st or LF or DH? Perhaps will they will "longoria-nize" him and bring him up mid-April or May. This would allow them to use him where he is most needed. Sometimes if you stand by the barn door the horse (or the decision...) comes to you. Thanks for taking my question...
(mhixpgh from Pittsburgh)
You don't worry about service time with LaPorta, because as a bat-only player who's already 24, you're not concerned about locking up his age-30 season. Just play him once he's ready, and given that the team has a contract that hasn't hit in years at DH, and the open question of Ryan Garko at first base, there should be time for him. If Choo has to miss any time, that seals the deal for carrying LaPorta on Opening Day. I think he'll hit .270/.345/.490 in the majors this year if he plays. (Joe Sheehan)
2009-02-11 14:00:00 (link to chat)How long till I get to feast my eyes on the majestic power of Matt LaPorta?
(mwball75 from ohio)
No later than September and maybe the All-Star break. (John Perrotto)
2009-02-10 14:00:00 (link to chat)Does Shin-soo Choo deserve the chance to be the everyday RF for Cleveland? Or not quite?
(Rob from Alaska)
No, but he's a pretty tasty platoon option. He's part of the solution, not the problem, when it comes to getting enough production from their outfield. The problem's in left, but we can hope that Matt LaPorta's ready to fix that at some point this summer. (Christina Kahrl)
2009-02-06 13:00:00 (link to chat)Say nice things about the Cleveland Indians. (Honesty optional)
(ericturner29 from Chicago)
They're a very well-run organization, they have a solid farm system, and they should finally be rid of Andy Marte by the end of spring training. I also look forward to their trying to filter Matt LaPorta into left field somewhere in the second half. (Steven Goldman)
2008-08-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)Max Ramirez is the same age as Matt LaPorta, has put up better numbers this year, and is, theoretically, a catcher. So why is LaPorta more highly regarded than Mad Max?
(Adam J. Morris from Houston, TX)
LaPorta has the better approach and is the better pure hitter. and I'm a big Ramirez believer. Also a big, big difference between the Texas League and the Southern League. Don't rank prospects on stats alone. (Kevin Goldstein)
2008-08-18 13:00:00 (link to chat)Any thoughts on how the Olympic team is doing so far and/or Matt LaPorta getting drilled in the head?
(Steve from ND)
I know they have Jayson Nix playing second base, which makes it hard for me to take the whole thing seriously. (Joe Sheehan)
2008-06-25 14:00:00 (link to chat)Do you see Matt LaPorta getting any kind of significant playing time this season? Or next season?
(Ryan from Milwaukee)
Next year, I think he has to be in their equation, but the fact that the Brewers are starting to play better ball lately makes it less likely that he'll get significant playing time *this* year. (Nate Silver)
2008-06-25 14:00:00 (link to chat)Is Huston Street for Matt LaPorta a fair trade? Does it make sense for the A's with Cust already around?
(Steven from Mid-town)
It's reasonably fair. I actually think I'd rather have Street's next six years: LaPorta's nice, but: he's 23, and is restricted to a corner outfield spot which he doesn't play very well. But since Street is already into his fourth year of service time, what you'd be doing is trading three years of Street for six years of LaPorta. And that would definitely be worth it. (Nate Silver)
2008-06-25 14:00:00 (link to chat)Does the Blue Jays offense have it in them to turn it around and save JP's job? (making Cito the hero of millions once again in the process) Or should they start looking at things like AJ Burnett to the Brewers for a shiny prospect? (Gamel?)
(Aaron from YYZ)
It shouldn't be a good offense based on its rather limited talent, and it isn't. And that division makes their situation very difficult. I absolutely think that the Blue Jays need to start thinking about whether they could get someone like Matt LaPorta for someone like A.J. Burnett. (Nate Silver)
2008-05-28 13:00:00 (link to chat)At what point do the Yankees punt the 2008 season and try to trade veterans for prospects and - given that scenario - who are your favorite trade candidates?
(Precarious Jim from Cologne, Germany)
Hello, Cologne. It's a difficult question, and I say that knowing I've advocated for trades. If Giambi keeps hitting, the Yankees might actually get something for him - a no-brainer given that they're not going to pick up his option. Damon might have some value to someone soft in the outfield. With Brett Gardner playing well, you might rethink trading Melky Cabrera. None of these players are going to bring back Matt LaPorta unless someone has been drinking, but maybe you get something in the way of position players.

I like Melky, but I just don't understand his streakiness. (Steven Goldman)
2008-05-05 12:30:00 (link to chat)After a .500 record in 2007 and the loss of Matt LaPorta, has Florida surprised you with their performance this year? What does their post-season picture look like?
(georgeforeman03 from Raleigh)
They've more than surprised me, I'm shocked at the job Kevin O'Sullivan has done in his first season with the Gators. I had heard all the talk regarding O'Sullvan's ability to work with a pitching staff, but the difference he has made in one season in Gainesville is absolutely huge. Plus, they are aided by some good roster construction, like an infield made up of all ex-shortstops. The emergence of Josh Adams as a top freshman has been huge, if only to give Cole Figueroa some protection in that lineup. (Bryan Smith)
2008-04-01 14:00:00 (link to chat)Is there any chance Eric Hosmer or Justin Smoak could handle left field along the lines of Matt Laporta?
(Dan McKay from Albuquerque, NM)
It's an interesting question. I do think there's a shot that the whole LaPorta thing could start a trend, where the thinking is "hey, it's left field, so who cares?". Smoak is a pretty decent defender -- maybe he could do it. Hosmer's a tougher question because his body isn't done yet. (Kevin Goldstein)


BP Roundtables

DateRoundtable NameComment
2008-10-02 11:00:00Thursday Playoff Games"Getting rid of a postseason monkey was big, but was it worth 6 seasons of Matt LaPorta & company? "

Possibly. LaPorta was blocked at LF, RF and 1B, for one thing, and given Nate Silver's work in Baseball Between the Numbers about the long-term revenue impact of a single postseason appearance and the fact that CC's departure puts an extra sandwich pick in the hands of Zduriencik, I think the Brewers will make up for his loss. (Jay Jaffe)
 

PITCHf/x Hitter Profile

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