Matthew F. Lipka (born April 15, 1992) is a professional baseball center fielder and shortstop who is a free agent. He was drafted in the first round of the 2010 MLB draft by the Atlanta Braves.
| Matt Lipka | |
|---|---|
| Free agent | |
| Center fielder / Shortstop | |
| Born: April 15, 1992 Snellville, Georgia | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right |
Professional career
editAtlanta Braves
editLipka attended McKinney High School in McKinney, Texas.[1] The Atlanta Braves selected Lipka in the first round (35th overall) of the 2010 MLB Draft. In 2011, the Braves had Lipka shift to center field.[2]
Lipka played for the Lynchburg Hillcats of the High–A Carolina League in 2013,[3] and the Mississippi Braves of the Double–A Southern League in 2014. He returned to Mississippi to start the 2015 season.[4] Lipka was reassigned to Mississippi to begin 2016.[5] By mid-June, he had been promoted to Gwinnett.[6] He finished 2016 with a .243 batting average and 3 homers.[7] Lipka elected free agency following the season on November 7, 2016.[8]
Texas Rangers
editOn December 16, 2016, Lipka signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.[9] He split the season between the advanced Single-A Down East Wood Ducks, Double-A Frisco RoughRiders and Triple-A Round Rock Express.[10] In 117 games between the three affiliates, Lipka batted .241/.306/.376 with 9 home runs, 50 RBI, and 25 stolen bases. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.[11]
San Francisco Giants
editOn January 29, 2018, Lipka signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants organization.[12] He played in 123 games for the Double–A Richmond Flying Squirrels, hitting .240/.329/.352 with four home runs, 30 RBI, and 21 stolen bases. Lipka elected free agency following the season on November 2.[13]
New York Yankees
editOn January 11, 2019, Lipka signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees.[14] He received a non-roster invitation to spring training.[15] He split the season between the Double-A Trenton Thunder and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. On June 6, 2019, in a game against the Hartford Yard Goats, Lipka broke up a combined no-hitter in the top of the ninth inning with a bunt single off of Rico Garcia. The bunt caused a near fight after the game and resulted in Lipka getting death threats for the unpopular move.[16] Lipka hit .262/.316/.388 in 89 games between the two affiliates in 2019 and became a free agent after the season.
Los Angeles Dodgers
editOn February 29, 2020, Lipka signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[17] Lipka was not selected for the Dodgers player pool for the year, and did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[18] On November 2, Lipka elected free agency.[19]
Arizona Diamondbacks
editOn May 3, 2021, Lipka signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.[20] In 33 games between the Triple-A Reno Aces and the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles, Lipka slashed a cumulative .303/.364/.454 with 2 home runs and 24 RBI.
Milwaukee Brewers
editOn June 28, 2021, Lipka was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations.[21] Lipka appeared in 70 games with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds to round out the year, hitting .285/.346/.446 with 9 home runs and 32 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 7.[22]
Washington Nationals
editOn March 16, 2022, Lipka signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.[23]
Milwaukee Brewers (second stint)
editOn July 16, 2022, Lipka was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for cash considerations. He became a free agent after the season.
References
edit- ^ "McKinney's Zach Lee, Matt Lipka share big league aspiration". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
- ^ "Braves' top pick Matt Lipka adjusting to center field". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
- ^ "Ex-Braves prospect Matt Lipka working his way back through the system". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
- ^ "Atlanta Braves prospect Matt Lipka returning to prospect radar". MiLB.com. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
- ^ Black, Miranda (April 4, 2016). "M-Braves Announce Travel Roster". Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- ^ Schiavone, Tony (June 16, 2016). "Lehigh Valley Sweeps G-Braves in Extras". MILB.com. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- ^ "Matt Lipka Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Retrieved November 19, 2016.
- ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2016". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
- ^ Fraley, Gerry (December 16, 2016). "Rangers make moves involving nine minor-leaguers". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
- ^ "McKinney Man Matt Lipka at Home with the 'Riders". 14 June 2017.
- ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ "McKinney product leaves Rangers organization". 23 January 2018.
- ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2018". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "Yankees sign Drew Hutchison and Matt Lipka to minor league deals". 14 January 2019.
- ^ "Yankees invite Florial to spring camp".
- ^ "Yankees' Minor Leaguer Matt Lipka Gets Death Threats After Bunt Ends No-Hitter". Bleacher Report.
- ^ "Minor League Transactions".
- ^ "2020 Minor League Season Canceled". mlbtraderumors.com.
- ^ "Full List of 2020-2021 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ^ "Major League Baseball Transactions".
- ^ "Minor MLB Transactions: 6/28/21".
- ^ "2021-22 Minor League Free Agents for All 30 MLB Teams".
- ^ "Matt Lipka Stats, Fantasy & News".
External links
edit- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)