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Matthew Vincent LaPorta (born January 8, 1985) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and left fielder who played for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2009 to 2012. LaPorta played college baseball for the University of Florida.
He led NCAA Division I baseball with 26 , which garnered LaPorta All-American honors as he helped lead the team to the 2005 College World Series final. In , his batting average dipped from .328 to .259. In June, LaPorta was drafted in the fourteenth round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft by the Boston Red Sox, but he chose to stay at Florida for his senior year; during that season, he earned his second All-American selection. LaPorta batted .402 with twenty his senior season with the Gators. Also, LaPorta was recognized as the SEC Player of the Year. Laporta wins 2007 SEC Player of the Year award He graduated from Florida with a bachelor's degree in health and human performance in 2009.
After rehabilitating his leg, LaPorta was sent to the Brewers' rookie-level affiliate, the Helena Brewers. In his first at-bat as a professional player, LaPorta hit a home run. He played 7 games with Helena in left field and as the designated hitter. Then in August, LaPorta was moved up to the Brewers' Single-A affiliate, the West Virginia Power. Laporta enjoyed success with the club, hitting 10 home runs in 23 games during the regular season. Minor League Baseball web site, Laporta's information page Like in Helena, he played mostly left field and designated hitter. The Power went on to make the South Atlantic League playoffs and advanced to the finale, but lost to the Columbus Catfish in a best of 5 series. LaPorta was selected by the Brewers to represent them in the Arizona Fall League. He played with the Mesa Solar Sox for 30 games, and hit 6 home runs during that time, which was tied for the most in the league. Arizona Fall League: 2007 Stats
In January, the Brewers announced that LaPorta would be invited to spring training. LaPorta invited to spring training On the opening day game for the Huntsville Stars, LaPorta hit a grand slam. LaPorta starts season with a bang By May, some wondered whether LaPorta might be the next Ryan Braun.[7] Through June 13, , LaPorta was leading the Southern League in home runs with 20 Southern League: Stats and was batting .288 with 66 RBI.
Before the Olympics, Team USA competed in exhibition games against Canada. LaPorta had three home runs and five RBIs in the four games against Canada. USA Baseball: Stats, through August 4 USA began play in the Olympics on August 13 against Korea. USA Olympic Team Schedule
In a game against China on August 18, LaPorta suffered a mild concussion after he was struck in the head by a pitch by Chinese relief pitcher Chen Kun at the start of the seventh inning. The beaning followed a controversial play in the sixth inning when American outfielder Nate Schierholtz made 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 following a collision at the plate with LaPorta in the fifth inning. After being struck by the pitch, LaPorta was taken to a hospital for a precautionary CAT scan; Chen Kun and China's pitching coach Steven Ontiveros were ejected from the game. The United States went on to win the game 9-1. In the Bronze-Medal match against Japan, LaPorta had a solo home run as Team USA won the Bronze Medal. U.S. beats Japan to claim baseball bronze
LaPorta attended spring training with the Indians; he was assigned to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on March 24, 2009. Indians Send Sowers, 6 Others to Minors, The New York Times. Published March 24, 2009. LaPorta batted .333 with five homers, four doubles, two triples, 14 RBI and a 1.054 OPS in 21 games with the Clippers, and was called up to the Indians on May 2.Castrovince, Anthony. LaPorta called up and ready to play, Major League Baseball. Published May 2, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
Going into spring training for the 2010 season, LaPorta was expected to transition to the role of starting first baseman. However, when the Indians signed Russell Branyan and announced he would be the everyday first baseman, LaPorta instead became a contender 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. Consequently, LaPorta was moved back to the first baseman position. After Branyan was activated from the disabled list on April 20, LaPorta was moved primarily to the backup first baseman role, with some playing time in left field. In order for him to receive more at-bats and continue his development, LaPorta was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on June 7. On June 27 the Indians traded Branyan to the Seattle Mariners for outfielder Ezequiel Carrera and shortstop Juan Diaz, LaPorta was recalled from Triple-A Columbus to be the everyday first baseman for the Indians.
According to Baseball Reference, LaPorta split the 2012 season between the Indians (22 games) and Triple-A Columbus (101 games). On November 20, 2012, LaPorta was assigned outright to the Indians' Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers.http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/20/5001147/indians-outright-laporta-lillibridge.html LaPorta spent the 2013 campaign split between Columbus and the rookie-level Arizona League Indians. In 57 appearances for the two affiliates, he slashed a combined .249/.331/.517 with 14 home runs and 40 RBI.
On April 5, 2014, LaPorta signed with the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican League. In 32 games for Campeche, he batted .286/.366/.555 with seven home runs and 24 RBI. LaPorta was released by the Piratas on May 13.
On April 12, 2015, LaPorta announced his retirement from professional baseball.
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