The Braves signed top pick Matt Lipka, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman (via Twitter). Bowman notes that Atlanta also signed seventh rounder Matt Suschak (Twitter link). The Braves, who chose Lipka 35th overall, signed the supplementary rounder for a slot bonus of $800K, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Lipka, 18, is a high school shortstop from Texas and had committed to playing at the University of Alabama. He hit .400 in high school, went 10-3 with a 1.43 ERA as a pitcher and also starred on the football field. Braves scouting director Tony DeMacio told Bowman that the Braves like Lipka's speed.
"We needed some speed in the organization, plus he plays in the middle of the diamond," DeMacio said. "He's got a plus arm. He's a plus fielder. He's got makeup off the chart. He's just a winning type of player."
DeMacio says the Braves believe Lipka can play shortstop or center field.
How does one get their makeup off the charts? You mean eye black?
look up chipper jones..thats the “makeup” of a ballplayer they mean..by the way who was drafted out of high school(in front of consensus #1 pick van poppel) with the same kind of ability and look what happened with him..shortstop with plus arm, good power, who ended up a hof 3d baseman
just to clear up in case someone thinks im saying he will be chipper jones..im saying he has the makeup they said chipper had when he was first drafted..hardworker, talent, and clearly a desire to become a great player.(or why would anyone draft him)
Pretty sure A: that was sarcasm, and B: Chipper was drafted when Van Poppel told them to stick it, not for any “makeup” reasons.
I just graduated with him last Friday
we have a short supply of good shortstops so this guy is a breath of fresh air.
From what I have seen in videos and scouting reports, he needs a lot of work. And majority of those reports have him more of a second baseman, not a shortstop. He has an average arm, in my opinion. He’s a line-drive hitter, with above-average speed.
I just have one question? what 18 year old do you know that would be rated as a true power hitter coming out of high school when being compared/projected to major league talent (removing people such as pujols).
Did you see him play and if so what did you think about him?
Yes. He is mainly a line drive hitter but he has great speed. He’s a very good athlete as shown by the fact that he was also a great WR for the football team at my school. That could make him a very good defensive player.