Justin Upton, Left Field

Date of Birth: 8/25/1987
Birthplace: Norfolk, Virginia

Justin Upton, left fielder, was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2005 and he made his first appearance in a D-Backs uniform in August, 2007. In 140 at-bats that season, he batted only .221, with 2 home runs and 11 RBIs. Upton didn't show his potential until 2009, when he batted .300, with 158 hits, 30 doubles, 26 home runs, and 20 stolen bases.

In March, 2010, Upton signed a six-year contract extension with the D-Backs. Upton continued to play well for the Diamondbacks, with his best season in 2011. That year, he won a Silver Slugger award and had 171 hits, 39 doubles, 31 home runs, and 21 stolen bases.

Upton was traded by the Diamondbacks to the Atlanta Braves in January, 2013. He played on the same team as his brother Melvin Upton, Jr. in 2013 and 2014. In his first season with the Braves, Upton batted .263 with 147 hits, 27 doubles, and 27 home runs in 149 games. He won his second Silver Slugger award in 2014. He finished the season with 153 hits, 34 doubles, 29 home runs, 102 RBIs, and a .270 batting average in 154 games.

Upton was traded to the San Diego Padres on December 19, 2014. He finished the 2015 season with 136 hits, 26 doubles, 26 home runs, 19 stolen bases, 81 RBIs, and a .251 batting average in 150 games. As a left fielder, he made 235 putouts and 3 errors in 146 games.

On January 18, 2016, Upton signed a six-year, $132.75 million contract with the Detroit Tigers. He finished the 2016 season with a .246 batting average, 140 hits, 28 doubles, a career high 31 home runs, and 87 RBIs. Defensively, as a left fielder, he made 253 putouts and 4 errors in 146 games.

The Tigers traded Upton to the Los Angeles Angels on August 31, 2017. He finished the 2017 season with 152 hits, career highs in doubles with 44, home runs with 35, and RBIs with 109. He struck out 180 times and walked 74 times and he batted .273 in 125 games with the Tigers and 27 games with the Angels. Defensively, as a left fielder in 151 games, he made 318 putouts and 8 errors. He had a .976 fielding percentage.

Upton won his third Silver Slugger award in 2017.

Upton finished the 2018 season with 137 hits, 18 doubles, 30 home runs, 85 RBIs, 176 strikeouts to 64 walks, and a .257 batting average in 145 games. Defensively, as the Angels' left fielder in 140 games, he made 294 putouts and 4 errors.

Upton spent time on the DL in 2019 with a toe injury. He played in 63 games and he had 47 hits, 40 RBIs, 78 strikeouts to 32 walks, and a .215 batting average. As a left fielder in 56 games, he made 86 putouts and 4 errors.

Upton played in 42 games in 2020. He finished the season with 30 hits, 5 doubles, 9 home runs, 22 RBIs, 43 strikeouts to 11 walks, and a .204 batting average. Defensively, he played 39 games in left field.

Upton spent time on the IL in 2021 with back strain and lumbar strain. He finished the season with 67 hits, 12 doubles, 17 home runs, 41 RBIs, 107 strikeouts to 39 walks, and a .211 batting average in 89 games. Defensively, as a left fielder, he had 121 putouts and 2 errors.

Upton was released by the Angels on April 8, 2022. He signed with the Seattle Mariners on May 21st. He opted for free agency oon July 22nd.

Career batting statistics for Upton through 2021 include:

• 1,828 games played
• 1,748 hits
• 349 doubles
• 324 home runs
• 1,000 RBIs
• 1,948 strikeouts to 779 walks
• .262 batting average

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Justin Upton
ESPN Sports - Justin Upton