Justin Upton
Encyclopedia
Justin Irvin Upton is a National Major League Baseball
right fielder
for the Arizona Diamondbacks
.
He was selected first overall by the Diamondbacks in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
. Justin is considered a 5-tool player, acknowledged for having hitting prowess as well as solid fielding capabilities. Justin and his brother B.J. of the Tampa Bay Rays
are the only brothers in Major League Baseball to ever be selected in the number one and two slots of a first round draft.
for Great Bridge High School
in Chesapeake, Virginia
, and was awarded the AFLAC National High School Player of the Year Award. He is also the brother of Tampa Bay Rays
center fielder
B.J. Upton, who was taken at the number two pick in the 2002 draft
.
In his first professional season he played for Class-A South Bend Silver Hawks
. He began with the Class-A Advanced Visalia Oaks
, but was promoted to the AA Mobile BayBears
after hitting .341 with 5 home run
s for the Oaks in April.
Scouts rave about Upton's talent, and he is often compared to Ken Griffey, Jr.
Baseball Tonight
's Peter Gammons
stated during an episode that a Major League general manager recently told him that "Upton was the best 20-year-old he's ever seen".
. When he was called up, the Diamondbacks had star rookie Chris Young at center field, so Upton shifted to right.
Upton recorded his first career major league hit
and run scored
on August 4, 2007, in his third major league game. His first career RBI
came the next day, and his first career home run two days after that. He almost became the youngest player ever to hit for the cycle
on that day, falling just a single
shy of the milestone.
He finished his rookie campaign with 2 home runs, 11 RBIs, 2 stolen bases, and a .221 batting average. Despite a relatively disappointing start to his career (albeit with limited playing time), he broke out in the 2007 post-season, leading the Diamondbacks to a three game sweep of the Chicago Cubs
, making it to the NLCS
. He finished the 2007 post-season with an impressive .357 batting average, a double, a triple, a stolen base, and an RBI to go along with an impressive .571 slugging percentage.
, Upton hit over .300 with three home runs, 12 RBIs, and four stolen base
s, earning the starting right field job over Jeff Salazar
. Manager Bob Melvin
said that Upton has a "very high ceiling," and that it "wouldn't surprise him" if he had a great 2008 season.
Upton began the season and held the current title of being the youngest active major leaguer second to Clayton Kershaw
as of July 31, 2008. Upton collected his first big hit of the 2008 major league season on April 3. In the sixth inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds
, he broke up a no-hitter
in the major league debut of Johnny Cueto
with a home run. It was Arizona's only hit of the contest. The next night (April 4), he went 3 for 5 against the Colorado Rockies
in their home opener with his second home run of the season. For the third consecutive ballgame on April 5, Upton homered while collecting three hits in a 7–2 Arizona victory. His third home run made him only the third player ever under the age of 21 to hit home runs in three straight games. On April 11, Upton homered off Jeff Francis
of Colorado for his fourth home run of 2008 campaign. The home run was in an 8–2 victory that was the seventh straight for Arizona. The very next day (April 12), he and Arizona continued their streaks, with Upton going 3 for 3, hitting a three-run home run to dead center field at Chase Field
and the Diamondbacks winning 10–3, marking their eighth straight win. Upton had a career-high four RBIs on the day.
Upton went through a prolonged slump in the month of May that saw him go 0 for 24 with 17 Ks at one point. Upton came out of his slump on May 30 with a home run against the Giants
.
On July 6, 2008, Upton hit a 484 feet (147.5 m) shot off San Diego Padres' pitcher Josh Banks
. It was at that point the second-longest home run in the history of Chase Field
. The only longer home run was a 503 ft (153.3 m) shot off the bat of Richie Sexson
.
Despite getting off to a hot start on the year, cold streaks and a left oblique injury (which resulted in a five week stint on the DL) ruined chances of Upton putting together a great year. However, he finished the year with respectable numbers for a 20 year old, finishing the year with 15 home runs, 42 RBIs, 6 triples, 19 doubles, a stolen base, and a .463 slugging percentage to go along with a .250 batting average. On defense, he led tied for the lead among all major league outfielders in errors, with 11. On defense, in 2010 he led all major league outfielders in errors, with 10.
It was in May, however where Upton turned his season around, collecting 7 home runs, 21 RBIs, 8 doubles, 4 triples, a league leading .709 slugging percentage, to go along with a .373 batting average and a .444 on base percentage. On June 2, 2009, Upton was named NL Player of the Month of May by the MLB for his great month. His brother B.J. Upton earned AL Player of the Month of June, making Justin and B.J. the first pair of brothers to win player of the month honors in the same year.
On July 5, Upton was named to the 2009 All-Star team as a reserve outfielder for the National League
.
As of October 10, 2009, Upton led the Diamondbacks in batting average (.300) and hits (158) to go along with 26 home runs (including his first career grand slam on 6/2/09 against the Dodgers) and 86 RBI. He's also thirteenth in the NL in slugging percentage (.532, third among outfielders) and has compiled 20 stolen bases to go along with 7 triples and 30 doubles. On August 5, 2009 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
, Upton strained his right oblique trying to steal second base, resulting in a stint on the disabled list. Rookie outfielder Trent Oeltjen
had taken over his spot on the roster.
On September 1, 2009, against the Colorado Rockies, Upton was taken out in the top of the third inning after hitting a 420 feet (128 m) single in his previous at-bat. Thinking the ball to be a home run, he did not hustle to first base, and when the ball short-hopped the wall, he was forced to stay on first base.
Another show of Upton's emotions was on 6/1/09, following a fly-out at Dodger Stadium Upton returned to the dugout
and told his helmet, "I'm not going to throw you, helmet, I'm not going to throw you." The following game the talk seemed to work, as he hit his first career grand slam.
In 2009, he led all major league outfielders in errors, with 12, and had the lowest fielding percentage among them (.961). On defense, in 2010 he led all major league outfielders in errors, with 10. Despite this, Justin Upton posted a 7.4 UZR, a statistic some believe to be more telling than errors and fielding%.
.
In 2011, Upton batted .289 with 31 home runs, but on defense he led all major league outfielders in errors, with 13. He also led the NL in being hit by the pitch, with 19 (a Diamondbacks record), and was second in the league in doubles (39) and third in runs scored (105) and extra base hits (75). He won a Fielding Bible Award
in 2011 as the best fielding right fielder in MLB.
Through 2011, Upton was 2nd all-time of Diamondback hitters in HBP (30), 3rd in slugging percentage (.487) and OPS (.845), 4th in OBP (.357) and strikeouts (573), and 5th in triples (24). For these accomplishments, he was awarded one of the three National League OF Silver Slugger awards.
He came in fourth in the voting for the 2011 National League Most Valuable Player Award, behind winner Ryan Braun
, Matt Kemp
, and Prince Fielder
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
right fielder
Right fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
for the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
.
He was selected first overall by the Diamondbacks in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
2005 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
. Justin is considered a 5-tool player, acknowledged for having hitting prowess as well as solid fielding capabilities. Justin and his brother B.J. of the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
are the only brothers in Major League Baseball to ever be selected in the number one and two slots of a first round draft.
Professional career
He was previously an all-district shortstopShortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
for Great Bridge High School
Great Bridge High School
Great Bridge High School is a public secondary school in Chesapeake, Virginia, United States. It is part of Chesapeake City Public Schools and is located at 301 West Hanbury Road.-History:...
in Chesapeake, Virginia
Chesapeake, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 199,184 people, 69,900 households, and 54,172 families residing in the city. The population density was 584.6 people per square mile . There were 72,672 housing units at an average density of 213.3 per square mile...
, and was awarded the AFLAC National High School Player of the Year Award. He is also the brother of Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
B.J. Upton, who was taken at the number two pick in the 2002 draft
2002 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2002 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 4 and 5.This year's draft is featured in Michael Lewis' 2003 book Moneyball.-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Compensation Selections:...
.
In his first professional season he played for Class-A South Bend Silver Hawks
South Bend Silver Hawks
The South Bend Silver Hawks are a U.S. Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks, that plays in the Midwest League....
. He began with the Class-A Advanced Visalia Oaks
Visalia Oaks
The Visalia Rawhide are a minor league baseball team in Visalia, California, U.S. They are a Class A - Advanced team of the Arizona Diamondbacks operating in the California League and have recently agreed to renew their affiliation through 2012....
, but was promoted to the AA Mobile BayBears
Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are a minor league baseball team based in Mobile, Alabama, United States. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks major league club. The BayBears play in Hank Aaron Stadium, named after baseball's former all-time home...
after hitting .341 with 5 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s for the Oaks in April.
Scouts rave about Upton's talent, and he is often compared to Ken Griffey, Jr.
Ken Griffey, Jr.
George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. , nicknamed "Junior" and "The Kid", is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and during his final years, designated hitter...
Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight is a program that airs on ESPN. The show, which recapitulates the day's Major League Baseball action, has been on the air since 1990.-Air times:...
's Peter Gammons
Peter Gammons
Peter Gammons is an American sportswriter, media personality, and a recipient of the J. G. Taylor Spink Award for outstanding baseball writing, given by the BBWAA.-Education:...
stated during an episode that a Major League general manager recently told him that "Upton was the best 20-year-old he's ever seen".
2007: Youngest Player in Baseball
On August 2, 2007, Upton was called up to the big league team at the age of only 19, following an injury to everyday right fielder Carlos QuentinCarlos Quentin
Carlos Josè Quentin is an American outfielder who plays for the Chicago White Sox. In 2008 and in 2011, Quentin was selected as an All-Star.-Early career:...
. When he was called up, the Diamondbacks had star rookie Chris Young at center field, so Upton shifted to right.
Upton recorded his first career major league hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and run scored
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
on August 4, 2007, in his third major league game. His first career RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
came the next day, and his first career home run two days after that. He almost became the youngest player ever to hit for the cycle
Hitting for the cycle
In baseball, hitting for the cycle is the accomplishment of one batter hitting a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game. Collecting the hits in that order is known as a "natural cycle". Cycles are uncommon in Major League Baseball , occurring 293 times since the first by Curry...
on that day, falling just a single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
shy of the milestone.
He finished his rookie campaign with 2 home runs, 11 RBIs, 2 stolen bases, and a .221 batting average. Despite a relatively disappointing start to his career (albeit with limited playing time), he broke out in the 2007 post-season, leading the Diamondbacks to a three game sweep of the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, making it to the NLCS
2007 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Thursday, October 11, 2007 at Chase Field in Phoenix, ArizonaThe Rockies took a 1–0 series lead behind a strong innings from starter Jeff Francis. Arizona scored first on a first-inning RBI double by Eric Byrnes, but lost the lead two innings later when Colorado right fielder Brad Hawpe...
. He finished the 2007 post-season with an impressive .357 batting average, a double, a triple, a stolen base, and an RBI to go along with an impressive .571 slugging percentage.
2008: Hot Start
In 2008 spring trainingSpring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, Upton hit over .300 with three home runs, 12 RBIs, and four stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s, earning the starting right field job over Jeff Salazar
Jeff Salazar
Jeffrey Dewan Salazar is a Major League Baseball outfielder. He made his major league debut on September 7, ....
. Manager Bob Melvin
Bob Melvin
Robert Paul Melvin is the manager of the Oakland Athletics, and a former Major League Baseball catcher.During a 10-year playing career, he played from 1985–94 for seven different teams...
said that Upton has a "very high ceiling," and that it "wouldn't surprise him" if he had a great 2008 season.
Upton began the season and held the current title of being the youngest active major leaguer second to Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball.In 2011, Kershaw won the Pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985...
as of July 31, 2008. Upton collected his first big hit of the 2008 major league season on April 3. In the sixth inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, he broke up a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
in the major league debut of Johnny Cueto
Johnny Cueto
Johnny Brent Cueto [KWAY-toe] is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.-Minor league career:...
with a home run. It was Arizona's only hit of the contest. The next night (April 4), he went 3 for 5 against the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
in their home opener with his second home run of the season. For the third consecutive ballgame on April 5, Upton homered while collecting three hits in a 7–2 Arizona victory. His third home run made him only the third player ever under the age of 21 to hit home runs in three straight games. On April 11, Upton homered off Jeff Francis
Jeff Francis
Jeffrey William Francis is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Early life:...
of Colorado for his fourth home run of 2008 campaign. The home run was in an 8–2 victory that was the seventh straight for Arizona. The very next day (April 12), he and Arizona continued their streaks, with Upton going 3 for 3, hitting a three-run home run to dead center field at Chase Field
Chase Field
Chase Field is a baseball stadium located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona and is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball. It opened in , just in time for the Diamondbacks' first game as an expansion team...
and the Diamondbacks winning 10–3, marking their eighth straight win. Upton had a career-high four RBIs on the day.
Upton went through a prolonged slump in the month of May that saw him go 0 for 24 with 17 Ks at one point. Upton came out of his slump on May 30 with a home run against the Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
.
On July 6, 2008, Upton hit a 484 feet (147.5 m) shot off San Diego Padres' pitcher Josh Banks
Josh Banks
Joshua Charles Banks is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He is 6'3" in height and weighs 195 pounds. Banks attended college at Florida International University...
. It was at that point the second-longest home run in the history of Chase Field
Chase Field
Chase Field is a baseball stadium located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona and is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball. It opened in , just in time for the Diamondbacks' first game as an expansion team...
. The only longer home run was a 503 ft (153.3 m) shot off the bat of Richie Sexson
Richie Sexson
Richmond Lockwood "Big Sexy" Sexson is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played for five teams from 1997 to 2008...
.
Despite getting off to a hot start on the year, cold streaks and a left oblique injury (which resulted in a five week stint on the DL) ruined chances of Upton putting together a great year. However, he finished the year with respectable numbers for a 20 year old, finishing the year with 15 home runs, 42 RBIs, 6 triples, 19 doubles, a stolen base, and a .463 slugging percentage to go along with a .250 batting average. On defense, he led tied for the lead among all major league outfielders in errors, with 11. On defense, in 2010 he led all major league outfielders in errors, with 10.
2009: Breakout Year
Upton got off to a terrible start to the 2009 season, having just one hit in his first 21 at bats (and not getting a hit until April 14, the sixth game of the year). He finished April with a .250 batting average with just 2 home runs and 8 RBIs.It was in May, however where Upton turned his season around, collecting 7 home runs, 21 RBIs, 8 doubles, 4 triples, a league leading .709 slugging percentage, to go along with a .373 batting average and a .444 on base percentage. On June 2, 2009, Upton was named NL Player of the Month of May by the MLB for his great month. His brother B.J. Upton earned AL Player of the Month of June, making Justin and B.J. the first pair of brothers to win player of the month honors in the same year.
On July 5, Upton was named to the 2009 All-Star team as a reserve outfielder for the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
.
As of October 10, 2009, Upton led the Diamondbacks in batting average (.300) and hits (158) to go along with 26 home runs (including his first career grand slam on 6/2/09 against the Dodgers) and 86 RBI. He's also thirteenth in the NL in slugging percentage (.532, third among outfielders) and has compiled 20 stolen bases to go along with 7 triples and 30 doubles. On August 5, 2009 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, Upton strained his right oblique trying to steal second base, resulting in a stint on the disabled list. Rookie outfielder Trent Oeltjen
Trent Oeltjen
Trent Carl Wayne Oeltjen is a Major League Baseball outfielder, who is currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 6'1" tall and weighs 190 pounds...
had taken over his spot on the roster.
On September 1, 2009, against the Colorado Rockies, Upton was taken out in the top of the third inning after hitting a 420 feet (128 m) single in his previous at-bat. Thinking the ball to be a home run, he did not hustle to first base, and when the ball short-hopped the wall, he was forced to stay on first base.
Another show of Upton's emotions was on 6/1/09, following a fly-out at Dodger Stadium Upton returned to the dugout
Dugout (baseball)
In baseball, the dugout is a team's bench area and is located in foul territory between home plate and either first or third base. There are two dugouts, one for the home team and one for the visiting team. In general, the dugout is occupied by all players not prescribed to be on the field at that...
and told his helmet, "I'm not going to throw you, helmet, I'm not going to throw you." The following game the talk seemed to work, as he hit his first career grand slam.
In 2009, he led all major league outfielders in errors, with 12, and had the lowest fielding percentage among them (.961). On defense, in 2010 he led all major league outfielders in errors, with 10. Despite this, Justin Upton posted a 7.4 UZR, a statistic some believe to be more telling than errors and fielding%.
2010
Upton's season was cut short for the second straight season with a strained right oblique, but he still finished the season with a respectable .273 batting average, 17 home runs, and 69 runs driven in to go along with 18 stolen bases.2011
Upton was selected to be an all-star in his hometown team for the second time in his career along with his teammate, Miguel MonteroMiguel Montero
Miguel Angel Montero is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-Arizona Diamondbacks:...
.
In 2011, Upton batted .289 with 31 home runs, but on defense he led all major league outfielders in errors, with 13. He also led the NL in being hit by the pitch, with 19 (a Diamondbacks record), and was second in the league in doubles (39) and third in runs scored (105) and extra base hits (75). He won a Fielding Bible Award
Fielding Bible Award
A Fielding Bible Award recognizes the best defensive player for each fielding position in Major League Baseball based on statistical analysis. John Dewan and Baseball Info Solutions conduct the annual selection process...
in 2011 as the best fielding right fielder in MLB.
Through 2011, Upton was 2nd all-time of Diamondback hitters in HBP (30), 3rd in slugging percentage (.487) and OPS (.845), 4th in OBP (.357) and strikeouts (573), and 5th in triples (24). For these accomplishments, he was awarded one of the three National League OF Silver Slugger awards.
He came in fourth in the voting for the 2011 National League Most Valuable Player Award, behind winner Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun
Ryan Joseph Braun is an American right-handed Major League Baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. A perennial standout, he was ranked No...
, Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan "Matt" Kemp is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Kemp was drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2003 draft and made his major league debut in 2006...
, and Prince Fielder
Prince Fielder
Prince Semien Fielder is a Major League Baseball free agent who plays first base. He is currently listed at 5' 11" and . He was selected by the Brewers in the first round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft out of Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida.He is the son of former Detroit...
.
Awards
- 2007, USA Today Minor League Player of the Year AwardUSA Today Minor League Player of the Year AwardListed below in chronological order are the Minor League Baseball players chosen by USA Today as recipients of the USA Today Minor League Player of the Year Award...
- 2009, Player of the MonthPlayer of the MonthThe Player of the Month Award is a Major League Baseball award named by each league every month of the regular season. The National League started recognizing the award on June 4, 1958. National League president Warren Giles conducted a poll of baseball writers in each Major League city and...
– National League May - 2011, NL Silver Slugger Award
External links
- Justin Upton – Minor League News