Justin Upton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Justin Upton |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
.jpg)
Upton with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018
|
|||
| Outfielder | |||
| Born: August 25, 1987 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| August 2, 2007, for the Arizona Diamondbacks | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| July 15, 2022, for the Seattle Mariners | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .261 | ||
| Home runs | 325 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,003 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
Justin Irvin Upton (born August 25, 1987) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He was often called "J-Up" by fans. Justin played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. These included the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, and Seattle Mariners.
He even played on the same team as his older brother, B. J. Upton, with the Braves and Padres. Justin mostly played as a right fielder. Later in his career, he also played left field for some teams.
Upton was chosen as the very first player in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his MLB debut in 2007. Throughout his career, he was picked for the All-Star team four times. He also won three Silver Slugger Awards. Justin and B.J. are the only brothers in MLB history to be picked first and second in the first round of any draft.
Contents
Early Life and Amateur Baseball
Justin Upton was born to Melvin and Yvonne Upton. His mom, Yvonne, was a teacher. His dad, Melvin, worked as a scout for the Kansas City Royals. He also worked as a mortgage broker and a college basketball referee. Melvin had played both college football and basketball at Norfolk State.
Justin played baseball with his brother, Melvin Upton Jr., who is three years older. The Upton brothers played on travel teams with other future baseball stars. These included Mark Reynolds, David Wright, and Ryan Zimmerman. Justin also played against Cameron Maybin in Amateur Athletic Union games.
Upton was a top shortstop at Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake, Virginia. He won the AFLAC National High School Player of the Year Award. Baseball America magazine said he was the best high school baseball player. He had planned to play college baseball at NC State.
Professional Baseball Career
Arizona Diamondbacks
Starting in the Minor Leagues
The Arizona Diamondbacks picked Justin Upton as the first overall player in the 2005 MLB draft. He signed with the Diamondbacks and received a $6.1 million signing bonus.
In his first professional season, Upton played for the Class-A South Bend Silver Hawks. In 2007, he started with the Class-A Advanced Visalia Oaks. He was then moved up to the Class AA Mobile BayBears. This happened after he hit very well for the Oaks in April.
MLB Debut in 2007
On August 2, 2007, Upton was called up to the big league team. He was only 19 years old. This happened because the team's regular right fielder, Carlos Quentin, was injured. The Diamondbacks already had a star rookie, Chris Young, playing center field. So, Upton played in right field.
Upton got his first major league hit and run scored on August 4, 2007. This was in his third MLB game. His first RBI came the next day. Two days later, he hit his first career home run. He almost became the youngest player ever to hit for the cycle that day. He only needed a single to reach this rare achievement.
He finished his first season with 2 home runs and 11 RBIs. He also had 2 stolen bases and a .221 batting average. Even with limited playing time, he shined in the 2007 post-season. He helped the Diamondbacks sweep the Chicago Cubs. They made it to the NLCS. He ended the 2007 post-season with a strong .357 batting average.
2008 Season Highlights
In 2008 spring training, Upton played very well. He hit over .300 with three home runs and 12 RBIs. He also had four stolen bases. This earned him the starting right field job. His manager, Bob Melvin, believed Upton had a lot of potential.
Upton started the 2008 season as one of the youngest players in MLB. On April 3, he hit his first big home run of the year. He broke up a no-hitter by Johnny Cueto with a home run. This was Arizona's only hit in the game. The next night, he had three hits and another home run. On April 5, he hit a home run for the third game in a row. This made him one of only three players under 21 to do this.
He had a career-high four RBIs on April 12. He hit a three-run home run that day. Upton went through a tough time in May, but he came out of it with another home run. On July 6, 2008, Upton hit a very long home run. It traveled 484-foot (148 m). This was one of the longest home runs ever hit at Chase Field.
Despite some ups and downs, he finished 2008 with 15 home runs and 42 RBIs. He also had 6 triples and 19 doubles.
All-Star Season in 2009
Upton had a great May in 2009. He hit seven home runs and had 21 RBIs. He also led the league in slugging percentage. On June 2, 2009, he was named the NL Player of the Month for May. His brother, Melvin Upton, Jr., won the AL Player of the Month in June. This made them the first brothers to win these awards in the same year. On July 5, Upton was chosen for the 2009 All-Star team.
Upton led the Diamondbacks in batting average (.300) and hits (158). He also hit 26 home runs, including his first career grand slam. He had 86 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.
2010 and 2011 Seasons
On March 3, 2010, Upton signed a new contract with the Diamondbacks. It was for six years and $50 million. His 2010 season was cut short by an injury. Still, he finished with a .273 batting average, 17 home runs, and 69 RBIs. He also stole 18 bases.
In 2011, Upton was chosen as an All-Star again. This time, it was in his hometown stadium. He batted .289 with 31 home runs. He also led the NL in being hit by a pitch (19 times). He won a Fielding Bible Award as the best fielding right fielder in MLB. He was also given a Silver Slugger Award for his hitting. He finished fourth in the voting for the 2011 National League Most Valuable Player Award.
Final Year with Diamondbacks in 2012
On August 3, 2012, Justin Upton hit his 100th career home run. His brother, B.J., hit his 100th home run just thirty minutes later in another game. Upton finished the 2012 season tied for second in the National League in runs scored.
After the 2012 season, Upton decided not to accept a trade to the Seattle Mariners.
Atlanta Braves
On January 20, 2013, the Arizona Diamondbacks traded Upton to the Atlanta Braves. This trade allowed Justin to play with his brother Melvin. Melvin had signed with Atlanta earlier that offseason. On April 7, 2013, Melvin and Justin both hit home runs in the same game. Melvin hit a game-tying home run, and Justin hit a game-winning home run.
On April 23, 2013, the Upton brothers hit back-to-back home runs. This was the first time brothers had done this since 1938. On August 8, 2014, Justin and Melvin hit home runs in the same game for the fifth time. This set a new Major League record for brothers.
San Diego Padres
On December 19, 2014, the Braves traded Upton to the San Diego Padres. On July 6, 2015, Upton was chosen as an All-Star for the third time. This was his first All-Star selection since 2011. In his only season for the Padres, Upton hit .251 with 26 home runs and 81 RBIs. He became a free agent on November 2, 2015.
Detroit Tigers
On January 20, 2016, the Detroit Tigers signed Upton to a six-year contract. It was worth $132.75 million. Upton hit his 200th career home run on July 18, 2016.
Upton was named co-American League Player of the Week for one week in September 2016. For the 2016 season, Upton hit .246 with 31 home runs and 87 RBIs. A lot of his home runs came in the last six weeks of the season.
Upton was added to the 2017 American League All-Star roster. This was his fourth career All-Star selection. In an August 4 game, Upton hit his third grand slam of the season.
Los Angeles Angels
On August 31, 2017, the Tigers traded Upton to the Los Angeles Angels. Upton finished 2017 with a .273 batting average. He also set career highs with 44 doubles, 35 home runs, and 109 RBIs. He scored 100 runs for the third time in his career.
Upton was named a 2017 Gold Glove finalist in left field. On November 2, Upton signed a new 5-year contract with the Angels. Upton was also named the AL Silver Slugger Award winner for left field. This was his third career Silver Slugger Award.
In 2018, Upton hit 30 home runs and had 85 RBIs. In 2019, Upton had a turf toe injury. This delayed his season debut until June 21. He later had another injury that ended his 2019 season early. He played in only 63 games that year.
Upton hit his 300th career home run on July 29, 2020. On August 27, 2021, Upton got his 1,000th career RBI. He was later placed on the injured list with a back strain.
Upton was released by the Angels on April 8, 2022. In five years with Los Angeles, Upton had a .232 batting average, 75 home runs, and 203 RBIs.
Seattle Mariners
On May 21, 2022, Upton signed a major league contract with the Seattle Mariners. He made his Mariners debut on June 17. In 17 games for Seattle, he had one home run and three RBIs. On July 22, the Mariners sent Upton to the Triple–A Tacoma Rainiers. However, he chose to become a free agent instead.
Awards and Honors
- 2007: USA Today Minor League Player of the Year Award
- 2009: Player of the Month – National League (May)
- 2011: NL Silver Slugger Award – outfield
- 2013: Player of the Month – National League (April)
- 2014: NL Silver Slugger Award – outfield
- 2017: AL Silver Slugger Award – outfield (Left field)
Personal Life
Justin Upton and his wife, Ashley, have two daughters. Their second daughter has Emanuel syndrome. Justin and Ashley have worked to help people learn more about this disorder. They live in Newport Beach, California.
See also
In Spanish: Justin Upton para niños
