Matt Lipka

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #24 prospect in 2014
  Having missed more than half of the 2012 season after having surgery that essentially reattached his hamstring, Lipka returned to high Class A Lynchburg in 2013 and showed he had not lost a step of his plus-plus speed. A two-sport standout in high school who attracted collegiate attention as a football wide receiver, the former shortstop continued to go all-out on every play while taking his performance to another level during his second season in center field. One of the most aggressive outfielders in the minors, Lipka gets great reads on balls off the bat and has improved his routes to flyballs. His arm strength is below-average, and despite a funky throwing motion he makes accurate throws. Offensively, Lipka has struggled to find an approach. He does not walk enough to utilize his speed on the basepaths, and he strikes out too often for a player with such limited power potential. He must increase his paltry .305 on-base percentage in order to take advantage of his skill set. The 2010 supplemental first-rounder pick should make the move to Double-A Mississippi in 2014.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #14 prospect in 2013
  Signed for $800,000 as a 2010 sandwich pick, Lipka played center field for the first time last year after two seasons at shortstop and showed good instincts. He was limited to 51 games and didn't play again following a hamstring injury on June 23, but the standout high school wide receiver continued to bring an all-out, football mentality to the diamond. The Braves believe that once he gets comfortable and improves his routes, he'll make highlight-reel catches look routine. He had an awkward arm stroke at shortstop and has no better than average arm strength in the outfield but gets good accuracy on his throws. Lipka showed better plate discipline last season prior to getting hurt. With little power (46 extra-base hits in 937 career at-bats), he has to hone his small-ball approach, particularly with bunting, in order to utilize his plus speed. He also needs to get better reads while stealing bases in order to improve his success rate, which was 68 percent last year and 73 percent for his pro career. Because he missed the second half of last season, Lipka is likely to return to high Class A to open 2013.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #14 prospect in 2012
  The Braves have gone heavy with college players during their first two drafts with scouting director Tony DeMacio. The lone early-round exception is Lipka, who was taken with the 35th overall pick in 2010 and signed for $800,000 after turning down a baseball scholarship to Alabama and numerous opportunities to play college football as a wide receiver. Despite possessing plus speed with tremendous work ethic and makeup, Lipka struggled in his first full pro season. After earning all-star honors in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2010, he showed a limited ability to drive the ball in low Class A. With a bottom handdominant swing, he didn't record an extra-base hit until the 37th game of the season and homered only once all year. Lipka has a defensive approach at the plate and needs to do a better job of employing his plus-plus speed by becoming more adept at small ball, such as dropping down bunts and working counts for walks. He also could do a better job of using the entire field. He's still learning to read pitchers after getting caught 14 times in 42 steal attempts last year. As a defender, Lipka offers good range and solid arm strength but awkward actions at shortstop and an unusual throwing motion. He also saw time at second base in 2011, and since drafting him Atlanta has suggested he could wind up in center field, where he spent most of his time in instructional league. A new defensive home could take some of the pressure off Lipka, who seemed to be constantly trying to prove he should stay at shortstop last year. He'll probably move up to high Class A in 2012.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #6 prospect in 2011
  Lipka was a two-time all-state 4-A wide receiver at McKinney (Texas) High, where his quarterback was Dodgers 2010 first-round choice Zach Lee. Lipka went seven picks after Lee, 35th overall as Atlanta's top selection last June, and turned down an Alabama baseball scholarship to sign for $800,000. He earned Rookie-level Gulf Coast League all-star honors in his pro debut. A quick-twitch athlete and high-energy performer, Lipka is a throwback player with plus-plus speed. His quickness puts pressure on infielders when he hits routine groundballs, and he's a basestealing threat who runs the bases as well as anyone in the system. He has a line-drive stroke and an advanced feel for hitting the ball where it's pitched. Stronger than most speedsters, he has a quick bat and the chance to have average power. The Braves envisioned Lipka as a center fielder upon drafting him, but they believe he has the arm, actions and instincts to remain at shortstop for the foreseeable future. His hands are his biggest question as an infielder. Atlanta's coaches rave about his approach and obvious love for the game. Lipka has the potential to be an impact up-the-middle player who hits at the top of the lineup. He'll start his first full pro season as the everyday shortstop at Rome.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Florida Complex League #5 prospect in 2010
  The Braves' top pick (supplemental first round) in 2010, Lipka was a two-sport star at McKinney (Texas) High. In addition to his baseball exploits, he was a two-time 4-A all-star wide receiver, catching 22 touchdown passes last fall from Dodgers first-rounder Zach Lee. A GCL all-star, Lipka has well above-average speed. One team clocked him from home to first in 4.0 seconds from the right side, and he stole 20 bases in 23 attempts. He has the strength to hit some balls out of the park, but he uses a line-drive swing to collect doubles and triples to the gaps. He's a high-energy player who constantly gets his uniform dirty. Lipka has the arm and range to play shortstop, though there's some question as to whether his hands and actions are good enough. If he can't stick at shortstop, he'd still have considerable value as a center fielder.

• December, 2010 Scouting Report
  Lipka was a two-time all-state 4-A wide receiver at McKinney (Texas) High, where his quarterback was Dodgers 2010 first-round choice Zach Lee. Lipka went seven picks after Lee, 35th overall as Atlanta's top selection last June, and turned down an Alabama baseball scholarship to sign for $800,000. He earned Rookie-level Gulf Coast League all-star honors in his pro debut. A quick-twitch athlete and high-energy performer, Lipka is a throwback player with plus-plus speed. His quickness puts pressure on infielders when he hits routine groundballs, and he's a basestealing threat who runs the bases as well as anyone in the system. He has a line-drive stroke and an advanced feel for hitting the ball where it's pitched. Stronger than most speedsters, he has a quick bat and the chance to have average power. The Braves envisioned Lipka as a center fielder upon drafting him, but they believe he has the arm, actions and instincts to remain at shortstop for the foreseeable future. His hands are his biggest question as an infielder. Atlanta's coaches rave about his approach and obvious love for the game. Lipka has the potential to be an impact up-the-middle player who hits at the top of the lineup. He'll start his first full pro season as the everyday shortstop at Rome.