I am back from the AFL with some thoughts on the highly-touted Matt LaPorta.

Matt LaPorta was selected in the first round of the 2007 Amateur Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers.  Despite the fact that his best position would be first base, and that Milwaukee already has Prince Fielder, the team drafted him because he was the best college hitter in the draft.  In college LaPorta demonstrated a rare blend of Power and Discipline, and the Brewers convinced themselves he could play left field.

It is expected that LaPorta will be fast-tracked to the majors since he has already played four years of college ball, however I am not sure he will be ready as fast as they would like.  I saw LaPorta play every day while at the AFL and he looks like a kid who still has alot of adjustments to make. 

BUILD
The first thing that stood out was his build.  He certainly looks like a guy who should hit for power right away.  He looked to be in great shape, well-toned, lots of muscle.  We are off to a good start.

PLATE DISCIPLINE

I think Matt left his Discipline bag at Florida because he was not patient at all when we saw him.  LaPorta seemed to be trying to live up to the hype by giving his home run swing on every pitch he offered at.  We did not see him walk once, and struck out more than you would like to see, considering the lack of pitching talent at the AFL.  He just did not seem to have a plan or any desire to work the count.  He was over agressive and pull-happy.  It really seemed that he has not yet adjusted to wood bats, as his bat speed seemed slower than you would have expected.

FIELDING

To his credit, we did not seem him make any spectacular blunders in LF, but he is not going to cover alot of ground out there, so the Brewers better keep plenty of speed in CF.

There has been some talk that the Brewers are going to give him a look as early as this spring to make the big club, and I just don't think he is going to be ready yet.  This kid needs at least a full year in the minors to make some adjustments and learn to play LF without the pressure of doing it at the major league level.