Monday, June 20, 2011

Justin Upton becoming a superstar

Expectations can be overwhelming and sometimes unforgiving.  They can also turn out to be ingenious.  Justin Upton is starting to make believers of the latter.  The Arizona Diamondbacks #1 overall pick from the 2005 draft is developing into a bonafide superstar right in front of our eyes.  Upton capped an unbelievable weekend series against the Chicago White Sox by going 13-23 at the plate, with three doubles, five RBI, two stolen bases, and his first career walk-off home run Friday night.  The 5-tool right fielder entered the big leagues with more potential than any prospect in recent memory, and it appears that everything is finally clicking for him this season.  With the All-Star game coming to Chase Field in July, "J-Up" is certainly making a case for a spot on the N.L. squad after compiling a .302 batting average with 12 homeruns, 38 RBI, and 13 stolen bases to date.  Couple that with the fact that the Diamondbacks currently sit just .5 games behind the World Series champion San Francisco Giants for first place in the NL West and credit is being given where it is justly due.  While kudos also go out to Kevin Towers, Kirk Gibson, Ian Kennedy and J.J. Putz for the D-backs re-emergence, it is great to see Upton not only embrace the leadership role, but also begin to show that all of the buzz and hype surrounding him was indeed warranted.  Upton's older brother, B.J., was selected 2nd overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2002.  Baseball runs in the family genes as the Upton brothers were the only brothers ever to be selected #1 and #2 in the draft.  The excitement being generated by the D-backs is starting to gradually bring the fans back out to Chase Field, as attendance has steadily increased over the first quarter of the season.  Fans finally have something to be excited about with baseball again, and hopefully Justin Upton can continue his dominating display on the diamond for years to come.  A return to past glory is just what this organization, fanbase, and the city of Phoenix needs so desperately.

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