Remember that LaPorta, 23, was a controversial first-round draft pick by the Berwers in 2007. Many thought that the Brewers took him way too high, but Milwaukee got they man they wanted and ran with it. It seems like a very good choice so far. He split the minor-league season between the rookie club in Helena and Class A West Virginia, batting .304 with 12 home runs and 31 RBI. He also finished the season with a 14-game hitting streak.
LaPorta then was sent to the Arizona Fall League batting .241 with six homers and 22 RBI in 30 games. Matt was tied for the most HR in the circuit, and he he performed rather nicely for a rookie in the Arizona Fall League. He was playing against much more seasoned players, so it was nice to see him still hit for power. The average will hopefully come with time, as it did during the regular season.
Don't get too excited about Matt making the team this year, however. Braun is firmly planted at LF, and most scouts in the Brewers' system see LaPorta at least a year away from breaking into the bigs. Braun has the speed and the arm to move to either CF or RF, depending on what Melvin and Yost decide to do with young Corey Hart as well. Either way, Braun, Hart, and LaPorta in the near future will be a formidable outfield. Not to mention Fielder, Weeks, Hardy, and Hall in the infield. Not too shabby for a home-grown bunch of talent, eh?
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