LaPorta Actually Does Sign Today (Monday the 25th)

[Jim Goulart]

www.flatoday.com/apps/pbc...002/SPORTS

 

Former UF star set to sign pro deal

BY CRAG HANDEL

FLORIDA TODAY

 

Former University of Florida baseball star Matt LaPorta said he has agreed in principle to sign with the Milwaukee Brewers.

 

"I'm going to fly to Milwaukee (today), sign during the day, then head to Arizona," said LaPorta, the No. 7 pick in last Thursday's 2007 First-Year Player's Draft.

 

LaPorta didn't want to say what his signing bonus was. The last three players chosen No. 7 in the draft received bonuses of $2.3 million.

 

"I would like to keep that private," LaPorta said. "You can see the numbers and make your own assumptions.

 

"I'm excited to get going and get playing."

[TheCrew07]

wooo... hooo!

[norvilleb]

Any word on where he'll be assigned yet? Prevailing sentiment seems to be WV, but I think he'll go to Helena--for a few weeks anyway. There just isn't much precendent for the Brewers to have a player totally skip rookie ball, even the advanced college guys. Even Weeks played a game or two in Arizona I believe. Other top college guys from the past decade have all spent some time in rookie ball as well, including Braun, Sheets, and Jenkins not to mention the Chad Greens of the draft. Given that LaPorta is going to be asked to learn a new position, I just don't see him skipping rookie ball altogether.

[1e Corbeau]

Keep in mind that LaPorta is a year older than most college draftees, so perhaps the direct comparisons to historical situations isn't exact in this case.

 

I think the plan all along has been WV. Maybe a day or two in AZ working out, but they (the AZL) don't start to the 23rd. If he signs today, I would guess he'd be in action at WV the first game after their AS break.

[pogokat]

i think helena as well...i think the brewers aren't planning on promoting a bunch more guys from WV, so it's a mega crowd there...i think we'll possibly see someone else promoted from BC to Huntsville at some point, and maybe LaPorta will go there after rookie ball..

 

honestly though, i have no idea...this was an unprecedented pick for them, and it will be interesting to see if they rush him a bit...

[Never Outhustled]

I think Corbeau is right, Laporta won't appear in rookie ball action because they don't start play for another 9 days. Laporta isn't going to wait around playing exhibitions against overmatched players that long.

 

Weeks played a few games in rookie ball, but remember that he had a long layoff after signing late.

 

Laporta is even more polished/productive than Braun was coming in, by a dedcent margin. In fact, he could be the most advanced bat the organization has ever drafted.

[sbrylski]

In fact, he could be the most advanced bat the organization has ever drafted.

 

Which makes him very exciting. Not only is he really good, but he's really good right now.

[And That]

The Brewers haven't started out many guys in WV directly after being drafted because they haven't drafted many guys like Matt LaPorta. I have little doubt that he'll be in Charleston in a few days.

 

As for a corresponding move, Lefave to Brevard is a no-brainer.

[DHonks]

Theoretically they could send Alonso or LeFave to A+ to DH to make room.

[JoeHova]

Nice, I hope to see LaPorta at Huntsville before the end of the season. I may be too optimistic, but I think it's possible.

[deeswan]

ESPN is showing on their "MLB Transactions" page that he was signed as of Tuesday, June 12.

 

Link

[norvilleb]

I wouldn't think he'd play in the AZL, but rather in Helena for a couple of weeks while they figure out if he really can play in LF. Get him started without much defensive pressure and in an environment where he's likely to post some nice offensive numbers. Helena starts the 19th, so that's not long to wait. Maybe it's just wishful thinking since I live in Helena but it also makes sense to me, especially given past treatment of advanced college bats. Hopefully we'll know for sure soon.

[Tbadder]

If sending him to WV means that this is where the Brewers believe he's "at" competition wise it will be a very sad day. If you draft an ancient player, who only has 2 or 3 years of "prospect" left in him--then I'd think he should go straight to Huntsville or at least Manateeville. Any lower and I think the Brewers are sending a signal I don't want to think about.

[Never Outhustled]

Quote:

---

If sending him to WV means that this is where the Brewers believe he's "at" competition wise it will be a very sad day. If you draft an ancient player, who only has 2 or 3 years of "prospect" left in him--then I'd think he should go straight to Huntsville or at least Manateeville.

---

 

Braun started out in Rookie ball, yet he was making an impact in the majors less than 2 years later.

 

If Laporta gets to the bigs in less than 2 years, would you still be disappointed in him? Its not where you start, its where you finish.

[homer]

Quote:

---

If Laporta gets to the bigs in less than 2 years, would you still be disappointed in him? Its not where you start, its where you finish.

---

 

Well said. Weeks and Braun were both top five picks that cut their teeth in the Pioneer League before heading off to A ball.....and Weeks signed a pro deal so there was even more incentive to rush him. Send LaPorta where he belongs and where he can have immediate success - West Virginia.

[brewcru1]

Quote:

---

ESPN is showing on their "MLB Transactions" page that he was signed as of Tuesday, June 12.

---

 

That link says that the Brewers signed all of their draft picks. Hardly accurate, I would say.

[SoCalBrewfan]

That link says that the Brewers signed all of their draft picks. Hardly accurate, I would say.

 

You mean that Wes Etheridge won't skip out on his UC-Irvine teammates just before the first College World Series in the history of the program? Where're the guy's priorities? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Jim Goulart]

That ESPN transaction entry is the bane of my existance.

 

I think we're up to at least six different places on the forums where we've had to debunk it for readers.

[tigerbrew]

Wonder why there's still no word on LaPorta's signing in Brewers.com or MJS?

[PeaveyFury]

I'd imagine they're waiting to announce it after this road trip. They're very big on bringing the guy in for BP with the big club and a tour of Miller Park.

[Tbadder]

If they advance him to the big club in only two years, then yes, I'd really be happy. Three years and I'd start to worry; 4 years and I'd say it was a mistake pick. I trust the Brewers, but if you're gonna draft old players they've got to pop a wheelie in the minors and pull off a zero to 250mph in less than 10 secs.

[Jim Goulart]

We take it as a compliment when MLB.com points to a link reference we initially brought to folks attention:

 

milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com...p;c_id=mil

 

Adam's a fan of the site, which we appreciate.

[colbyjack]

Peavey is dead on, as I've heard this is more likely to take place early next week. I'm sure the team wants to have LaPorta work out with the team and take BP on Monday just like they did with Braun two years ago.

[tigerbrew]

Yeah Mass Hass, I think this is clear proof that Adam McCalvy frequents brewerfan.net.

 

Thanks PeavyFury, now I understand why the Brewers delay the annoucement of this signing.

[dadofandrew]

I know from correspondence Adam frequents Ramblings, but I stole the link from Mass as well;)