Matt Laporta
Matt Laporta was born in Port Charlotte, Florida, United States on January 8th, 1985 and is the Baseball Player. At the age of 39, Matt Laporta biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.
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Matthew Vincent LaPorta (born January 8, 1985) is an American professional baseball first baseman and left fielder.
LaPorta played college baseball for the University of Florida.
The Milwaukee Brewers drafted him 7th overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft.
Early years
Laporta was born in Port Charlotte, Florida. Since graduating from Port Charlotte High School, he attended Charlotte High School. He appeared on fullback for the PCH Pirates' freshman football team.
College career
LaPorta was initially drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 14th round of the 2003 MLB Draft, but after receiving an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida, where he competed for coach Pat McMahon's Florida Gators baseball team from 2004 to 2007. He played in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in 2004, and was named a league all-star both seasons.
He starred in NCAA Division I baseball with 26 home runs, earning LaPorta All-American recognition as he helped lead the team to the 2005 College World Series final. His batting average decreased from 328 to.259. Laporta was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the fourteenth round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft in June, but he stayed at Florida for his senior year; during that year, he received his second All-American selection. In his senior season with the Gators, LaPorta batted.402 with twenty home runs. In addition, LaPorta was named as the SEC Player of the Year. In 2009, he graduated from Florida with a bachelor's degree in health and human performance.
Professional career
With the seventh overall pick of the 2007 MLB Draft, LaPorta was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers. On June 25, the Milwaukee Brewers agreed to a LaPorta contract, giving him a $2 million signing bonus.
LaPorta was drafted to the Helena Brewers Rookie League affiliate after recovering his leg. LaPorta scored a home run in his first at-bat as a professional player. He appeared in 7 games with Helena in left field and as the designated hitter. In August, he was transferred to the West Virginia Powerhouse, the Brewers Single-A affiliate. During the regular season, Laporta had a blast playing Single-A ball, winning 10 home runs in 23 games. He played mainly left field and designated hitter in Helena. The Power went on to qualify for the South Atlantic League playoffs and advanced to the championship, but the Columbus Catfish defeated the Columbus Catfish in a best of 5 series. The Brewers selected LaPorta to represent them in the Arizona Fall League. He was with the Mesa Solar Sox for 30 games and hit six home runs during that time, which was tied for the most in the league.
The Brewers announced in January that LaPorta would be welcomed to spring training. LaPorta scored a grand slam on the first day of the Huntsville Stars. Some people wondered if LaPorta might be the next Ryan Braun Braun by May. [1] LaPorta was leading the Southern League in home runs with 20 runs as of June 13, 2008, batting.288 with 66 RBI and 20 runs.
LaPorta and three other Brewers minor league players were traded to the Cleveland Indians team on July 7, 2008, in exchange for left-handed starting pitcher CC Sabathia. He went from right to left field after his arrival in Akron, Cleveland's Double-A affiliate. On July 9, he made his first appearance for the club. Laporta was selected to participate in Team USA's Futures Game on July 13. LaPorta was one of 24 people selected to represent the United States in the 2008 Beijing Olympics on July 16, LaPorta was one of 24 people.
Team USA competed against Canada in exhibition games before the Olympics. In the four games against Canada, Laporta had three home runs and five RBIs. The United States entered Korea against Korea on August 13 in the Olympic Games.
In a game against China on August 18, LaPorta sustained a mild concussion after being struck in the head by a pitch from Chinese relief pitcher Chen Kun at the start of the seventh inning. The beaning occurred following a tumultuous play by American outfielder Nate Schierholtz during a hard slide home against backup catcher Yang Yang on a sacrifice fly. Yang was in the game after China's starting catcher Wang Wei left the game after suffering a left knee injury in the fifth inning against LaPorta. LaPorta was admitted to a hospital for a precautionary CAT scan; Chen Kun and China's pitching coach Steven Ontiveros were banned from the game after being struck by the pitch. The United States went on to win the game 9-1. LaPorta had a solo home run in the Bronze medal match against Japan as Team USA claimed the Bronze Medal.
LaPorta attended spring training with the Indians; he was sent by AAA Columbus Clippers on March 24, 2009. In 21 games with the Clippers, LaPorta batted.333, four triples, two triples, 14 RBIs, 14 RBIs, and a 1.054 OPS, with five homers, four doubles, two triples, 14 RBIs, and a 1.054 OPS. In his first Major League at bat against the Detroit Tigers on May 3, LaPorta struck out. LaPorta's first major league home run and his first major league hit off Brian Tallet of Toronto.
LaPorta was supposed to transition to the role of starting first baseman in spring training for the 2010 season. However, LaPorta, as the Indians announced Russell Branyan and declared him to be the everyday first baseman, became a front-runner for the left field position, along with Michael Brantley. Branyan's back problems limited him to no game action during spring training, causing him to begin the season on the 15-day disabled list. As a result, Laporta was relocated to the first baseman position. Following Branyan's release from the disabled list on April 20, LaPorta was primarily moved to the backup first baseman position with some playing time in left field. LaPorta was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on June 7 in order for him to get more at-bats and continue his growth. Branyan was traded from Triple-A Columbus to the Seattle Mariners for outfielder Ezequiel Carrera and shortstop Juan Diaz, LaPorta.
According to Baseball Reference, LaPorta split the 2012 season between the Indians (22 games) and the Columbus Clippers (101 games). LaPorta's affiliate, the Columbus Clippers, was granted outright to the Indians Triple-A affiliate on November 20, 2012.
For the 2014 season, Laporta signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles.
LaPorta announced his resignation on April 12, 2015.
Awards and achievements
- 2005 and 2007 SEC Player of the Year
- Two time Southern League Player of the Week in 2008
- 2008 USA Olympic Team
- 2008 Futures Game selection