Alumni Watch: Growing Upton
Justin Upton learning on the job with Oaks' parent ballclub
Arizona right-fielder Justin Upton made a huge splash when he opened the 2008 season on a tear for the red-hot Diamondbacks. But Upton's youth (he won't turn 21 until late August) caught up to him a bit; he recently emerged from an 0-for-27 slump and has seen his average dip into the .270s. Still, Upton is one of the most promising young players in the Major Leagues, and he has plenty of time to continue his adaptation.
If it seems like only yesterday that young Justin was a Visalia Oak, it's because that isn't too far off. Upton played for the Oaks last season, appearing in the first 32 games of the season before earning an immediate callup to Double-A Mobile. In his time in Visalia, Upton hit.341 with 5 homers and 17 RBIs, posting an outstanding OPS of .973. Justin went on to hit .309 for Mobile before earning his Big League invite late in the season. He appeared in 6 games last September, and earned the starting outfield spot out of Spring Training this March.
Upton is just another potential superstar who got his start at Recreation Park.
If it seems like only yesterday that young Justin was a Visalia Oak, it's because that isn't too far off. Upton played for the Oaks last season, appearing in the first 32 games of the season before earning an immediate callup to Double-A Mobile. In his time in Visalia, Upton hit.341 with 5 homers and 17 RBIs, posting an outstanding OPS of .973. Justin went on to hit .309 for Mobile before earning his Big League invite late in the season. He appeared in 6 games last September, and earned the starting outfield spot out of Spring Training this March.
Upton is just another potential superstar who got his start at Recreation Park.