The Brewers today announced the signing of first-round draft pick Matt LaPorta, a first baseman at the University of Florida who will be shifted to left field.
LaPorta was expected to work out with the Brewers this afternoon before their game against Houston.
No terms were announced but LaPorta was believed to have signed at or near the $2.07 million recommendation by Major League Baseball for his slot in the draft.
The Brewers took LaPorta, 22, with the seventh pick of the first round of the June draft. They coveted his power enough to forget about his position in college and plan a move to the outfield.
LaPorta, who returned to Florida for his senior season after an injury caused him to slip to the 14th round last year, batted .402 with 20 home runs, 52 runs batted in and 55 walks for the Gators in 2007. He is a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award given to the nation's top amateur player, which will be announced Friday.
LaPorta, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound right-handed hitter, struck out onl 16 times in 169 at-bats. He had a .579 on-base percentage, tops in the nation, and .817 slugging percentage.
He led the nation with 26 home runs as a sophomore in 2005 before an oblique injury curtailed his production last year.
I am one that did not expect him to be signed, but great news for the future.
http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=2&date=6/25/2007&id=25522
