B.J. Upton
From BR Bullpen
Melvin Emanuel Upton
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 3", Weight 180 lb.
[edit] Biographical Information
B.J. Upton was considered throughout his minor league career as being one of the top few, even the top, prospect in the minors. He was drafted second overall in the 2002 amateur draft.
B.J. stands for Bossman Junior, his nickname. His father's nickname is, of course, Bossman.
His younger brother Justin was the #1 overall pick in the 2005 draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both brothers were drafted as shortstops, but were moved to the outfield. B.J. was first tried at third base and second base, where he made too many errors to stick, and wound up in center field in 2007, a position where he could put his outstanding speed on display on defense.
Upton has shown a lack of hustle at times, something which he has received some criticism for. Despite being in the middle of an intense pennant race, in August of 2008 he was benched three times by manager Joe Maddon within a span of two weeks for 1) failing to run out a grounder back to the pitcher, 2) failing to run out double play grounder, and 3) getting tagged out after lackadaisically jogging into second base on a drive off the left field wall. After missing a month of the season with an injury, he was at his best during the postseason however, hitting seven home runs between the ALDS and ALCS. He failed to hit a long ball in the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, but showed some outstanding speed, stealing four bases in key situations, including one with two outs in the 6th inning of Game 5, in a driving rain; he came to score on Carlos Pena's single, tying the game before it was suspended for 48 hours.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 1 (2007)
