Justin Upton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Justin Upton |
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Upton with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: August 25, 1987 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
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| 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 | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Justin Irvin Upton, born on August 25, 1987, is a former professional baseball player from America. People often called him "J-Up." He played as an Outfielder 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. Justin played alongside his brother, B. J. Upton, when they were both on the Braves and the Padres. While he mostly played right field, he also played left field for some teams.
Justin Upton was the very first player chosen in the 2005 MLB draft right after high school. He made his MLB debut in 2007. He was picked for the All-Star team four times. He also won three Silver Slugger Awards. Justin and his brother B.J. are the only brothers in MLB history to be chosen as the first and second picks in the first round of any draft.
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Early Life and Baseball Start
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 played both college football and basketball at Norfolk State University.
Justin played baseball with his older brother, Melvin Upton Jr.. They 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.
In high school, Justin was a great shortstop for 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 University.
Professional Baseball Career
Starting with the Diamondbacks
Minor League Journey
The Arizona Diamondbacks chose Justin Upton as the first overall pick in the 2005 MLB draft. He signed with them for a big bonus of $6.1 million.
In his first year as a pro, Justin played for the Class-A South Bend Silver Hawks. In 2007, he started with the Class-A Advanced Visalia Oaks. He played so well that he was quickly moved up to the Class AA Mobile BayBears.
MLB Debut in 2007
On August 2, 2007, Justin Upton was called up to the major league team. He was only 19 years old! This happened because the team's regular right fielder got hurt. When he joined the team, another young star, Chris Young, was playing center field. So, Justin played in right field.
Justin got his first major league hit and run scored on August 4, 2007. This was in his third big league game. His first RBI came the next day. Two days later, he hit his first home run. He almost became the youngest player ever to hit for the cycle that day. He just needed a single to reach that amazing goal.
He finished his first season with 2 home runs and 11 RBIs. He also had 2 stolen bases and a .221 batting average. Even though his start was quiet, he played great in the 2007 post-season. He helped the Diamondbacks sweep the Chicago Cubs. They made it to the NLCS. In the post-season, he had a .357 batting average.
2008 Season Highlights
In 2008 spring training, Justin hit over .300 with three home runs. He also had 12 RBIs and four stolen bases. This earned him the starting job in right field. His manager thought he would have a great year.
Justin was one of the youngest players in the major leagues in 2008. On April 3, he got his first big hit of the season. He broke up a no-hitter by hitting a home run. It was the only hit for his team that game. The next night, he hit another home run. On April 5, he hit a home run for the third game in a row. This made him only the third player under 21 to do that.
He had a tough time in May, going 0-for-24 with many strikeouts. But he broke out of it on May 30 with another home run. On July 6, 2008, Justin hit a very long home run. It traveled 484 feet! This was one of the longest home runs ever hit at Chase Field.
Even with some tough times and an injury, he finished 2008 with good numbers for a 20-year-old. He had 15 home runs, 42 RBIs, and a .250 batting average.
2009 All-Star Year
In May 2009, Justin had a fantastic month. He hit seven home runs and had 21 RBIs. He also had a great batting average of .373. On June 2, 2009, he was named the National League Player of the Month for May. His brother, Melvin Upton Jr., won the American League Player of the Month in June. This made them the first brothers to win these awards in the same year! On July 5, Justin was chosen for the 2009 All-Star team.
Justin 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 stole 20 bases.
2010 and 2011 Seasons
On March 3, 2010, Justin signed a six-year contract extension with the Diamondbacks. His season was cut short by an injury, but he still had a good year. He finished with a .273 batting average, 17 home runs, and 69 RBIs. He also stole 18 bases.
In 2011, Justin was chosen to be an All-Star again. This time, the game was in his hometown stadium. He batted .289 with 31 home runs. He also led the National League in being hit by a pitch. He won a Fielding Bible Award in 2011 as the best right fielder in MLB. He also won one of the three National League Silver Slugger Awards for outfielders.
2012 and Trade
On August 3, 2012, Justin Upton hit his 100th career home run. His brother, B.J., hit his 100th home run just 30 minutes later in another game! Justin finished the 2012 season tied for second in the National League in runs scored.
After the 2012 season, Justin decided not to accept a trade to the Seattle Mariners.
Playing with the Atlanta Braves
On January 20, 2013, the Arizona Diamondbacks traded Justin Upton to the Atlanta Braves. This trade allowed Justin to play on the same team as his brother, Melvin, who had already joined the Braves.
The first time Justin and Melvin hit home runs in the same game was on April 6, 2013. Melvin hit a home run to tie the game in the 9th inning. Then, Justin hit a game-winning home run right after him! On April 23, 2013, the Upton brothers hit back-to-back home runs. This was the first time brothers had done that 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!
Time with the San Diego Padres
On December 19, 2014, the Braves traded Justin Upton to the San Diego Padres.
On July 6, 2015, Justin was chosen as an All-Star for the third time in his career. This was his first All-Star selection since 2011. In his only season with the Padres, Justin hit .251 with 26 home runs and 81 RBIs. After the season, he became a free agent.
Joining the Detroit Tigers
On January 20, 2016, the Detroit Tigers signed Justin Upton to a big six-year contract. Justin hit his 200th career home run on July 18, 2016.
Justin was named the co-American League Player of the Week for one week in September 2016. For the 2016 season, Justin hit .246 with 31 home runs and 87 RBIs. He had a very strong finish to the season.
Justin was added to the 2017 American League All-Star team. This was his fourth career All-Star selection. In an August 4 game, Justin hit his third grand slam of the season.
Playing for the Los Angeles Angels
On August 31, 2017, the Tigers traded Justin Upton to the Los Angeles Angels. Justin finished 2017 with a .273 batting average. He also set new career highs with 44 doubles, 35 home runs, and 109 RBIs. He scored 100 runs for the third time in his career.
Justin was named a 2017 Gold Glove finalist in left field. On November 2, he signed a new five-year contract with the Angels. Justin also won the AL Silver Slugger Award for left field. This was his third career Silver Slugger Award.
In 2018, Justin hit .257 with 30 home runs and 85 RBIs. In 2019, he had an injury that delayed his season debut. He played in fewer games that year.
Justin hit his 300th career home run on July 29, 2020. On August 27, 2021, he got his 1,000th career RBI. He was placed on the injured list in September 2021 due to back issues.
The Angels released Justin on April 8, 2022. In his five years with Los Angeles, he had a .232 batting average, 75 home runs, and 203 RBIs.
Final Stop with the Seattle Mariners
On May 21, 2022, Justin Upton signed a contract with the Seattle Mariners. He played in 17 games for Seattle. He had one home run and three RBIs. On July 22, the Mariners sent Justin to their minor league team. However, he chose to become a free agent instead.
Awards and Achievements
- 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. The couple works to help people learn more about this condition. They live in Newport Beach, California.
See also
In Spanish: Justin Upton para niños
