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After disappointing fantasy owners in 2010, Matt Laporta may be working on a breakout year in 2011. Laporta hit just .221-.306-.362 with 12 HRs, 41 RBIs and a solid 22% K rate and 11% walk rate last year, but has shown improvement in his triple slash line this year. After going 4-4 with 2 doubles, a run scored, a walk and 4 RBIs on Monday night, Laporta is now hitting .274-.354-.487 with 4 HRs, 21 RBIs, 10 doubles and a solid 24-13 K/BB rate in 113 at bats this season. He has raised his ISO to just over .200 and has the power to hit 20+ HRs when healthy.
If you consider the fact that he has been hitting 8th in the Indians lineup this season, his performance to date is excellent. I am curious when manager Manny Acta will move Laporta up in the Indians order to see if his power and run production improves.
Laporta is rosterable in AL-only leagues and in deeper mixed leagues and he is on pace to go 17-90 this season, but I think he can hit 20+ HRs should he stay healthy this season.
Will Laporta hit 20+ HRs this season?