Upton Coming to Visalia
Published on March 30, 2007 under California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release
VISALIA, CA - Outfielder Justin Upton will start the 2007 season at advanced Class A Visalia after spending last season in the Class A Midwest League. This is the first time in Visalia Oaks team history that a No. 1 overall draft pick will start the season with the team.
"[I am very excited about coming to Visalia]," said Upton.
"We're not going to be afraid to move him [quickly]," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said. "That's one of the things we like to do around here is challenge these guys and move them. Last year he was 18 and looked like he was 21. This year he's 19 and he looks like he's 25. That's a man. The way the ball jumps off the bat, he's beyond his years intelligence-wise."
Upton hit .263 last season after being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. The year presented many challenges to him as he was playing the outfield for the first time and appeared in 113 games, far more than he did as a high schooler.
"They pitched him like he was Babe Ruth," Melvin said of Midwest League pitchers.
Upton was invited to big-league camp this year and instantly made an impression on the coaching staff and his teammates.
"I wasn't sure I was going to get to come this year," Upton said, referring to being a non-roster invite.
Upton hit .222/.444/.348 (AVG/SLG/OBP) with 1 HR and 4 RBI in 18 AB over 12 games, while playing for the MLB squad this Spring Training.
Justin is not the only Upton making a name for himself in professional baseball. His brother B.J., who was selected 2nd overall in the 2002 draft, will likely start the season on the Tampa Devil Rays 25-man roster. Justin and B.J. are the highest drafted brothers in baseball history.
California League Stories from March 30, 2007
- Upton Coming to Visalia - Visalia Rawhide
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