Matt LaPorta, 1B, Cleveland Indians
LaPorta has been a pleasant surprise for his few owners this season.
For some inexplicable reason, LaPorta is owned in only four percent of ESPN fantasy baseball leagues and 15 percent of Yahoo fantasy baseball leagues. Granted, he does play first base and there are plenty of more attractive options for first base. But aren’t there corner infielder and utility positions that need to be filled? LaPorta is hitting .274 with 4 HR and 21 RBI. He has scored more fantasy points than Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez so far this season. Yesterday, during the Indians’ 19-1 rout of the Royals, LaPorta went 4-4 with four RBI and a run. Two of those hits were doubles.
The young first baseman hasn’t given us much to hope for the past few seasons but it’s obvious he is, for the most part, seeing the ball better through this point of the season. If you’re hurting at the 1B position or utility spot, LaPorta is an obvious pickup.
