Not to mention Phillips' comment on how the Tigers could have a rotation led by young guys like "Verlander, Miller and Porcello". Guess he never heard of Bonderman. Yes, dumb comparison of Vitters and Bobby Crosby. Typical ESPN. Ravech was his usual whining self. Gammons at least brought his usual enthusiasm and insightful opinion - always appreciated.

I was watching on mlb.tv, and couldn't have been happier when it flipped over to their own coverage after ESPN bowed out.

It is too bad that people in the media keep reporting that LaPorta is a 1st baseman, when the fact is, Milwaukee worked out LaPorta as an outfielder in Florida a week before the draft. You would think that when people are "surprised" they would seek out more information on the matter, instead they keep repeating how baffling Milwaukee's drafting of LaPorta was.

The fact is the Milwaukee front office would likely agree with that sentiment, only no one bothered to ask them their view. People forget, this is the organization that drafted Prince Fielder into the NL, when at the time people were "surprised" because he was projected as a DH. This is also the organization that kept R Weeks at 2b, despite all of the people that insisted he play OF. This is the same organization that moved B Hall to CF and the same organization that is keeping R Braun at 3b. So far Milwaukee has been vindicated as Price has become a decent glove at 1st, Weeks has also improved to become avg, Hall is getting there and so far Braun appears not to be out of place.

Give Milwaukee credit for being innovative with the ability to get bats on the field and seeing the potential and getting these players to improve. The track record is there.

And what, this post Rich was on 6/10; you should have found out that the Brewers did their homework on this one by now, even if no one else did.
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Story from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=616648

Zduriencik said the Brewers worked out LaPorta in the past week with their Class A Brevard County team and envision no problems converting him to the outfield.

"We had an opportunity this past week to work him out personally in left field," Zduriencik said. "We had him in left field and he worked with our outfield instructors and this is something we talked about during the course of the spring."

For LaPorta, the third time was the charm in the draft.

In 2003, he was drafted in the 14th round out of Charlotte (Fla.) High School by the Chicago Cubs but did not sign. In 2006, the Boston Red Sox chose him in the 14th round, and again he did not sign.

LaPorta expected to be selected much higher last year but suffered an oblique strain that limited his production and opted to return to Florida for his senior year after sliding to the 14th round.

LaPorta is represented by agent Scott Boras, renowned for driving hard bargains. But as a college senior, he has little or no leverage and is expected to sign soon for the MLB-recommended signing bonus of $2 million.

Under a new draft rule, all picks must sign by Aug. 15 or the teams lose their rights, but that wouldn't seem to be a problem with LaPorta.

"I feel confident that this kid is going to be in uniform very shortly," Zduriencik said. "We had ongoing conversations with the Boras Corporation and I've talked twice to Matt myself. They were gracious enough to let us do that and they were also gracious enough to let him attend the workout.

"They went out of their way to make sure he got there, and he wants to play badly. They know that. We're not going to have any problems."

Peter, thanks for providing that article. I still say that LaPorta is a first baseman. The Brewers are just converting him to a left fielder.

When I said that I was "shocked" by the pick, it had more to do with me than the Brewers. My immediate thought was along the line of "What could they be thinking?" With the passage of time, I realized the club probably worked him out in left before making that pick.

Nonetheless, if LaPorta reports to rookie ball (as mentioned in the article) or even Low-A to learn how to play LF, then that would just add to my skepticism. As a college senior taken with the seventh pick in the draft, one would expect LaPorta to be assigned to High-A and get some time in Double-A before the end of the season.

I wish LaPorta and the Brewers the best of luck in this endeavor. The bottom line is that I just think his highest and best use was at first base for another team.

I think it is unfortunate that the focus of draft coverage, whether it is NFL, NBA or now we find MLB is no different, tends to be mostly on the differences between what the media expects, or thinks should happen, and what actually happens.

We forget that there are 30 teams, each with 30 different opinions and it is entirely feasible, especially in baseball, for one to break from the conventional wisdom. The truly insightful pick is the one that does break from the pack and nails it. Few people seem upset that B Mills was taken by the Indians and it seems to me their DH spot is taken (Hafner) and perhaps even 1st, Garko. The difference is because the media was smoked on the Brewers pick.

Even if LaPorta "should" have gone say, 20-30, how does that help the Brewers? They don't pick until 90-something again, I am not advocating overdrafting, but what I am suggesting is that these things don't take place in a vacuum.

The Brewers understand they will be in the division race for the next 4-5 years, adding an advanced, power hitting; college bat to the mix is a wise move. The only one that fits this description is LaPorta of the top 25 players. I think LaPorta is also the obvious replacement to Prince, if he decides to leave in 2011.

My thoughts on LaPorta starting in the minors. Yes he should start in high A ball, but I don't see anything to be skeptical about if he starts in Low-A ball. I would think the Brewers want him to not have to worry about the bat, as he gets comfortable in the OF. If he was in High A ball, he may not have the immediate success, which would take a little bit of his attention and focus off his D. Add to the fact that he would be in Florida and that itself may be a slight distraction for him as well.

keep up the good work.

P

Terry Ryan said that one of the reasons Revere was lower ranked by some of the media folks was that they knew less about him. The reports from the Twins are that the kid hit a 450 foot home run while he was being scouted. Juan Pierre? I don't think so.

You may be right, TT. I don't doubt that the Twins saw something in Revere. I may have misspoke as I've never seen him play. My initial opinion was based on his height and weight as well as reading scouting reports provided by Baseball America and MLB.com.

La Velle E. Neal III of the Star-Tribune adds some additional commentary on Revere here.

My initial opinion was based on his height and weight

I think that may have a lot to do with why he was a surprise. This will be an interesting one to watch. If he shows some pop with the wooden bat, the Twins reputation will get another boost. If he turns out to be a light hitting speedster, then he was probably over-drafted.