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Fantasy Player of the Day: Indians First Baseman Matt Laporta

By Ray Guilfoyle
CLEVELAND - MAY 11: Matt LaPorta #7 of the Cleveland Indians hits an RBI double against the Tampa Bay Rays in the 8th inning during the game on May 11, 2011 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND - MAY 11: Matt LaPorta #7 of the Cleveland Indians hits an RBI double against the Tampa Bay Rays in the 8th inning during the game on May 11, 2011 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
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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?

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