Matt Lipka Explained

Matt Lipka
Team:Free agent
Position:Center fielder / Shortstop
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Birth Date:15 April 1992
Birth Place:Snellville, Georgia

Matthew F. Lipka (born April 15, 1992) is a professional baseball player who is a free agent. He was drafted in the first round of the 2010 draft by the Atlanta Braves.

Professional career

Atlanta Braves

Lipka 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

On 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

On 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

On 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

On 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, 2020, Lipka elected free agency.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On May 3, 2021, Lipka signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.[19] 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

On June 28, 2021, Lipka was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations.[20] 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.[21]

Washington Nationals

On March 16, 2022, Lipka signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.[22]

Milwaukee Brewers (second stint)

On July 16, 2022, Lipka was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for cash considerations. He became a free agent after the season.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: McKinney's Zach Lee, Matt Lipka share big league aspiration. Dallas Morning News. November 4, 2014.
  2. Web site: Braves' top pick Matt Lipka adjusting to center field. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. November 4, 2014.
  3. Web site: Ex-Braves prospect Matt Lipka working his way back through the system. The Augusta Chronicle. November 4, 2014.
  4. Web site: Atlanta Braves prospect Matt Lipka returning to prospect radar. MiLB.com. May 5, 2015.
  5. News: Black. Miranda. M-Braves Announce Travel Roster. August 14, 2016. April 4, 2016.
  6. News: Schiavone. Tony. Lehigh Valley Sweeps G-Braves in Extras. August 14, 2016. MILB.com. June 16, 2016.
  7. Web site: Matt Lipka Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball. November 19, 2016.
  8. Web site: Minor League Free Agents 2016. 2023-05-29. baseballamerica.com. en.
  9. News: Fraley. Gerry. Rangers make moves involving nine minor-leaguers. December 17, 2016. Dallas Morning News. December 16, 2016.
  10. Web site: McKinney Man Matt Lipka at Home with the 'Riders. 14 June 2017.
  11. Web site: Minor League Free Agents 2017. April 28, 2024. baseballamerica.com. en.
  12. Web site: McKinney product leaves Rangers organization. 23 January 2018.
  13. Web site: Minor League Free Agents 2018. May 20, 2024. baseballamerica.com. en.
  14. Web site: Yankees sign Drew Hutchison and Matt Lipka to minor league deals. 14 January 2019.
  15. Web site: Yankees invite Florial to spring camp.
  16. Web site: Yankees' Minor Leaguer Matt Lipka Gets Death Threats After Bunt Ends No-Hitter. Bleacher Report.
  17. Web site: Minor League Transactions.
  18. Web site: 2020 Minor League Season Canceled. mlbtraderumors.com. en.
  19. Web site: Major League Baseball Transactions.
  20. Web site: Minor MLB Transactions: 6/28/21.
  21. Web site: 2021-22 Minor League Free Agents for All 30 MLB Teams.
  22. Web site: Matt Lipka Stats, Fantasy & News.