Justin Upton Was Considered MLB's Next Superstar

Start speaking a new language in 3 weeks with Babbel 🎉 Get up to 60% OFF your subscription ➡️ Here : go.babbel.com/t?bsc=1200m60-y...
Hey everyone!
During draft season there's always a few players that compete for the #1 overall selection. However, once in a while, there's 1 player who stands out from the rest. As a 17 year old, Justin Upton was being compared to players like Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez. He was considered MLB's next superstar, so how did his career turn out?
Follow me on Twitter: / sportstorm23
All sources (Articles/Media): pastebin.com/ZXNxGduT
Music:
1. • Retro Horror Synthwave... (Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio)
2. www.youtube.com/@prodvoyce/vi...
3. • [FREE for PROFIT] (EMO... (prod. malloy x kndey)
4. • [free for profit] baby... (prod. Rollie)
5. • [FREE FOR PROFIT] Juic... (prod. malloy x SephGotTheWaves)
6. • **FREE FOR PROFIT** Ju... (prod. malloy)
Business: [e-mail]
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.

[@SportStorm23]

Start speaking a new language in 3 weeks with Babbel 🎉 Get up to 60% OFF your subscription ➡ Here : go.babbel.com/t?bsc=1200m60-youtube-sportstorm-feb-2023&btp=default&KZbin&Influencer..sportstorm..USA..KZbin

[@matthew01234]

Didn't the Padres give up Max Fried for Upton? Or was it the Austin Riley draft pick? I know between trading Upton and Kimbrel to the Padres the Braves got Fried, Riley (via draft pick) and got to unload that terrible BJ Upton contract and it all came from the Padres. Can you imagine that trade today? "I will trade you Max Fried and Austin Riley for Craig Kimbrel and the Upton brothers and I will take on all of the salaries." The Braves were like, "Okay stupid person. I'm down."

[@SportStorm23]

Yeah not exactly one of AJ Preller's best decisions

[@luigiinmycloset]

@@SportStorm23 preller is... intresting. i like his bold trades/signings.

[@MrMansontaco]

Uptons expectations were so high a 300 Homer 1000 rbi career is seen as a disappointment. Dude was a beast

[@danielwallsten332]

yeah I feel like being the #1 prospect or #1 pick must stink because you cant really exceed the expectations you can only fall below them

[@TheSkyline5467]

So was BJ. Justin, however, had 5 seasons with either an All-star appearance or an MVP vote, 325 career HR, and a career .812 OPS. He definitely could have had a pretty amazing career if he hadn't begun flaming out at the age of 30. I think any team would be happy if a top prospect developed into Justin Upton.

[@maxmoss4565]

CC: Dom Brown would have loved for him to turn out similar.

[@SconnerStudios]

Yeah, BJ was an actual major letdown. Justin just didn't live up the the hall of fame level hype, still a great player. Definitely a "hall of very good" type of player.

[@ApostlePat]

Great take.

[@marcuss.9302]

It's weird because even if Justin Upton didn't live up to that #1 overall pick hype, I feel like his career is somewhat underrated. He had a damn good career, all things considered.

[@hamiham32]

This whole video I expected to hear worse numbers. Like God Damm he was pretty good up until basically the angels.

[@SportStorm23]

Yeah he still had a very good career. Tbh I didn’t know how hyped up he was before I started research

[@ghostofmoredishesmorebitch1507]

@@SportStorm23oh yea especially in dynasty leagues for fantasy

[@bradhorowitz2765]

Yeah I’m shocked he was really looked at as well…a superstar. Admittedly, it’s hard for me to really consider him underrated. Why? His last four years were awful-and made only worse when you realize the money he was given by the angels and the team continued to decline. . upton never got above a .370 OBP, h his highest OPS+ was 141 for one year, his war never eclipsed 5.6. He wasn’t a defensive guy, as shown by how bad his dwar was. And he really shouldn’t have gotten placed in one year as number 4 in the MVP votes. But he did get at least 30 war career wise, he has silver sluggers, and he was an above average hitter/serviceable for much of his career. It wasn’t his fault the Angels were dumbasses. He didn’t make the team so bad they missed the postseason. And he made my Mets miserable lol. Upton declined at 40 which is what most players go through. I don’t know if that makes him underrated, because he didn’t really become a multi tool player, and Ilhes prob worse than Brett Gardner but he was GOOD.

[@bradhorowitz2765]

*age 30 not 40

[@sinatra222]

Highest SLG% in extra innings, all-time (min 100 PA): .787 Mickey Mantle *.727 Justin Upton* .727 Ted Williams .726 Jimmie Foxx

[@SportStorm23]

Wow just verified this on stathead. The only other player over .700 SLG (min 100 PA) is Carlos Pena. Thanks for the cool stat!

[@pray4us955]

Great stat. Thanks

[@andygreeley5196]

That clip at the beginning shows the only pinch hit HR in his career which helped secure win 3 in the 14 game W streak that put the Mariners in serious playoff contention. Thx, Justin.

[@elijahoder3667]

This guy will always be my favorite MLB player regardless of what team he is on. I got to see him when I took a trip to Kauffman Stadium a few years back. Sadly didn't get his autograph

[@CharmCityGamer]

I miss J Up. Wonder what happened to him.. Thanks SportStorm, you're the man my dude!

[@spencerludman3915]

Nothing happened to him.

[@drewigi]

I actually went to high school with him and was in the gym when he received the Gatorade high school player of the year award. I will say he didn't seem to let it get to his head back then. He was a really nice dude.

[@samsiebert_1219]

Justin Upton is and always will be one of my favorite players, solely because when i played MLB2k11, he was the first player i hit a home run with, so i’m sad to see him potentially not play again

[@blblbluh4196]

I remember reading a kids book about Highschoolers that are future stars, upton, Greg oden, and OJ Mayo were all in it

[@KDJ0513]

Huge Braves fan here and it feels like yesterday our Outfield was BJ Upton Justin Upton and Jason Heyward. Lol I thought we were unbeatable until AA took over and turned us into monsters

[@TheTEN24]

Loved watching the Upton brothers thought both had such high and Lows. Justin had some crazy good seasons and a really solid career over all great vid man

[@SportStorm23]

thank you!

[@canesbaseball2015]

I played baseball at greenbrier Christian, same HS as BJ. I appreciate and liked all the research you did on all the local schools

[@colejoseph8072]

Followed him on the Dbacks. Great player. He was unjustly run out of town by ownership. Shoulda spent his whole career in AZ and had his number retired. Would’ve made a lethal duo with Goldschmidt (another should have been AZ lifer).

[@Gemnist98]

To be fair, the D-Backs have only retired two numbers: Luis Gonzales and Randy Johnson, both of whom were pivotal for the 2001 championship. That’s a pretty high standard that no player aside from Curt Schilling can really match.

[@ceebee312]

That’s the dbacks way or any other AZ pro sport team … in all seriousness, really is depressing jus going thru these vids or what coulda been the last decade

[@robbiegarnz7732]

I think he’ll get another chance. He’s a good player. Not all players are destined for Cooperstown. I think that’s so cool that he got to play with his brother twice at the MLB level! Good for them!

[@TheSkyline5467]

I always wondered how cool that was for B.J., his career cratered in '13 and '14. For some, nobody has as much negative influence on your self esteem than a sibling. Notable that he performed much better in 2015 when they were both with the Padres.

[@doctorhayo7976]

@@TheSkyline5467 '05 ALCS there was a game where Bengie and Jose Molina were both on the starting roster for the first time ever.

[@JakeForest3]

Justin Upton had the sweetest swing in his young Diamondbacks days

[@holdenafart5241]

I remember back in the day a baseball tonight episode like his rookie year and they asked if they could start a MLB franchise with one player who would it be and Justin Upton was the answer

[@Rzerhawk]

I will always have a sweet spot for the upton brothers. Loved watching them play as I was getting into baseball.

[@franknbeans2623]

I watched him play in the minors for the Mobile Bay Bears. He used to hit the ball out of the stadium with regularity. Most pop I've ever seen at that level

[@Ron742_]

325 HR, 1003 RBI. Better than I would have thought before I looked it up.

[@ceave]

Never did cut down on strikeouts and the marine layer took away from his power numbers is San Diego and Anaheim. He hit many May bombs that ended up as warning track flyouts.

[@bobbybustos426]

Big hi Uptown was a freakin’ beast man I used to love watching him for the Braves!

[@averyhamilton4945]

The Upton brothers were great in Atlanta, especially that game 8:35, I was in Centennial Olympic Park and I could hear Turner Field from there. The trades of them also gave us Max Fried and Austin Riley. We doing alright.

[@joshuapatrick682]

Upton produced did he not? Maybe the last 4 years were rocky but before that he was putting up 8-900 OPS seasons pretty consistently.

[@J.C...]

Good in high school ≠ good in MLB. Why is it that so many "professionals" think there's some relation between the two things?

[@rogregg29445]

Man that up up and a hey outfield was fun for that one year

[@jamesmarshall6619]

As a Diamondbacks fan I was so pumped when we drafted him. He got off to such a promising start and he was a good player, wasn't the superstar we thought he was going to be but good so of course we traded him because there was a period where we just traded away a ton of talent to get guys who had "grit." Talk radio, Diamondbacks management, it was all about grit and forgot you still need talent to win. The list of good to great pitchers we traded and other position players we got rid of, it was frustrating. Upton could have been a decent player on some good teams if the Diamondbacks management understood how to build a team. He didn't live up to the hype, wasn't a good defender, but considering the history of #1 picks in MLB, had a good career.

[@mrmc9278]

He's always been streaky. When he was with the Braves, there were months he would be on fire. There were also months he'd be as cold as his brother. Man, what a terrible time that was. BJ Upton and Dan Uggla...it's like they competed with who would have the most strikeouts for the season.

[@RaRa-li7in]

If you grew up in the 757 area of VA everyone talks about this era of baseball when you had BJ Justin David Wright Ryan Zimmerman And Micheal Cudeyer All on the same team. LOADED

[@lilcreek6304]

Yeah. Very solid sports talent here

[@S_Over_Street]

The Mariners attempted to trade for Justin after the 2012 season but Justin had a no trade clause in his contract for several teams, the Mariners listed as one of them. Odd that finally the Mariners picked up Justin nearly 10 years later.

[@joshdelagarza231]

I think Justin Upton’s problem along with his brother is that they both seemed to be bad for the clubhouse. Granted that’s something that we as fans don’t see, but teams seemed to be eager to get rid of both of them despite their fairly consistent level of play.

[@NDTexan]

BJ was never fairly consistent. He had a couple seasons of being promising and good and then he was pretty much bad the rest of his career. Justin had a steady downturn and never quite got back to his peak. He got to the point where if he did start producing he was traded for needed pieces because they expected he couldn't sustain it, And because they wanted to cut a little bit on budget because of the contract they would be unloading. Tigers traded him when he was getting hot after 2017 because they needed pitching for a playoff push and they could sacrifice a bat they didn't expect to be long-term. And with the angels, Justin was putting up numbers just about as bad as his brother. Happens a lot to a lot of players. Skills diminish. Never really any serious reports about clubhouse problems from either of them. It always came down to productivity. Refusing a demotion to AAA doesn't say anything about attitude and a lot of players with that amount of service time would have refused it

[@NotFadeAway522]

I never heard of either of them being a problem. I'm a Braves fan and remember their time in Atlanta very well. Justin and B.J./Melvin were traded because the Braves went into firesale mode after 2014. Pretty much everyone of value, aside from Freddie Freeman, was traded that offseason, if you remember. After that he just got traded once, from a losing Tigers team to a contending Angels team.

[@PrinceJoshTheGreat]

Idk if you remember but BJ and Longoria got into it in the dugout ooh full view of cameras. That’s usually cause for concern.

[@baseballno3214]

@@NotFadeAway522 if u don’t remember BJ fighting Longoria after him not running after a ball don’t speak on this subject

[@ghostofmoredishesmorebitch1507]

Bj had an attitude Justin was quiet

[@MeargleSchmeargle]

I went to that game where both Uptons hit the tying homer, then walkoff homer in b2b ABs. That was special.

[@telaviefilms280]

Let’s go new video

[@brentniederman]

I'm gunna miss him. One of my favorite players.

[@SconnerStudios]

Nah, forget Justin. I remember when BJ Upton and Delmon Young and all those earlly 2000s Rays draft picks who were going to lead them to a world series. Justin didn't come around until the OG major letdowns already let us down.

[@atarz9571]

Also kinda crazy that the trade to the Padres got the Braves Max Fried

[@Karmy.]

I remember how he had a slow start with the Tigers and it felt like maybe it was going be a bad signing before he got hot towards the second half He also struckout a lot

[@PepitoPiscinas926]

Sigue practicando ese acento, se nota mucho que eres estadounidense. Gracias por tus vídeos, igualmente.

[@joshuapatrick682]

Also, so he regressed in LA, even Pujols did that…and Rendon is doing it. Imagine how much better Trout would be on a different team? And how much better Shohei will be when he leaves?

[@Gemnist98]

Unless we’re talking a sports curse, you can’t really blame the Angels for their players regressing. What you can blame them for is picking players with obvious warning signs and not caring whatsoever because they make money off of the players’ personal brand.

[@ralphwiggum1982]

Honestly with Pujols he got traded to the angels when he was already pretty old so it was only natural in his case they he would slow down at some point there

[@glucosaminecondroitan9135]

Man, I was hoping he would get enough playing time to get a Topps card in a Mariners uniform. I know he was probably at the end of his career but I was super stoked to have him on the Mariners.

[@jamesweldon8118]

I can’t believe you didn’t use the “y’all gone make me lose my mind, upton here upton here” meme

[@ColwellNC1309]

I remember back in the day I was so upset I could not afford an Adrian Cardenas autograph, Justin Upton autograph, or even a Joe Mauer autograph and now you can get them for a few bucks.

[@joshuapatrick682]

I’m sure Upton will take the $200,000,000….I would take the money over the retirement tour.

[@jasperbarnett6819]

350 doubles, 325 homers, over 1000 RBIs and runs scored, 117 career OPS+, with essentially average corner outfielder defense. As a Nats fan, his stats are basically identical to Ryan Zimmerman (though Zim was more valuable on defense, since he was a 3B for most of his career). Sure, not a HoFer, but thats a heck of a career

[@whoishec7615]

I had the chance at playing against him and bj in travel ball down in VA….I’m from NYC….I consider myself the best ever to never make it unfortunately….but my cloth was different….we were beast where I’m from….out of my circle….the only player to make it was Pedro Alvarez and he went 2nd overall in 2008….out of my circle he was the only one who attended college as well….the rest of us made bad choices….but I was very fortunate to play at a few mlb stadiums and participate at these baseball programs and travel throughout high school 🙏🏼

[@russellchung3119]

I feel like there should be a team to pick him up. As an Angels (and Dodgers) fan, I've seen how hot he can get and it's crazy staggering. I feel like it the Dodgers pick up "Leadoff Upton" they can have a great pinch hitter for the clutch.

[@JoseHernandez-rk8zm]

I enjoyed JUps career. I followed closely as a die hard dbacks fan he remains my favorite dbacks regardless of how bitter it ended

[@c200065524]

I wouldn’t mind seeing him in KBO, NPB or LMB.

[@michaelburgess3779]

He kind of reminded me of mark texeria misspelled, good in the second half

[@sleeping_eater7656]

7:01 ESPN type stat

[@Otisbxk]

9:56 he look like Mr.3000 😂

[@Tankcommander4]

This past year a lot of paranormal things have been happening to me. A lot

[@gerryomo9515]

BJ and Justin were nice sl at one point, loved BJ’s swing

[@ParamoreFAV3]

Bro had a very good career; I don’t care what anyone says.

[@earlridleniv5110]

as a reds fan who has to watch will benson suit up in the outfield id definitely be happy if we took a shot on an older guy like upton

[@atomicproductions4338]

His time as an Angel might not have been the best but he’s still my favorite player I loved him

[@addisonfrance]

I always loved Justin and BJ

[@RESTINPEACE12345678]

Have him on MLB the show 22 RTTS…Shohei (DH), Trout (CF), Upton (LF), then me (RF)

[@jesseavila8508]

I got his autograph once talked to him because he got hit by a pitch and his finger was bruised but he told me it's not broken good guy tbh

[@num8309]

Justin Upton is my favorite player ever thank you for making a video on him

[@SportStorm23]

thanks for watching!

[@sinatra222]

If not for his sharp decline and injuries in his early 30's Justin would have had a very good chance at breaking Reggie Jackson's all time strikeouts record. He is only around 600 strikeouts behind Reggie at the moment.

[@aviationandmore1]

A hall of very good player in book

[@easingthroughspace194]

As a Rays fan and fan of BJ Upton solely for how good he was in 2k9, I support the Uptons for life.

[@HighlightReelSports]

Hey SportStorm! Would love to collab on some content with ya! Let me know if you would be interested 🙏🏼

[@brettjohnson3357]

Upton had all the talent and potential to be a superstar. He just didn’t always put 100% effort and would let his at bats or fielding errors effect his next time around at the plate or in the field. We named our right field section of the bleachers “Up-Town”, still hope he can get one last go with some team

[@bmon85ify]

Yea I always wondered why Justin Upton moved around so much despite what he could do on the field

[@GuardiansEnjoyer]

325 career HRs is pretty darn good. Pretty sure any team would take that from a #1 prospect

[@tylermccann848]

Growing up, I was a BJ Upton fan. I felt a little frustrated thinking that the DBacks might have gotten the better Upton, even though BJ had a ton of potential with Tampa Bay. I did feel that Justin got more recognition, and because of that I always thought he was what BJ could have been if he was more consistent. So to see that Justin was just as inconsistent as his brother sort of surprised me. But I also think I'm starting to realize I may have been selling BJ a little short, even if he didn't get as much recognition!

[@gibson4624]

Love these kind of videos on underrated players. Your video on heyward is one of my favorites 🫶

[@thespaghettiwives]

I worked with Upton's cousin while in the Air Force. When BJ was drafted, she told me, wait till you hear about Justin, he's better.

[@aidansmith2779]

I don't think his career is over yet, cause a 1year deal for like 2-3mil isn't going to hurt a team like the a's or pirates or royals if he is a bust

[@notanyonespecific]

So was Jazz Chisholm but look how thats going

[@chris8215]

at the end of the day he will be a hall of famer

[@Justintime2grow]

It's funny that the Mariners picked him up just to send him to the minors because back when he was hot he refused a trade to the Mariners. What goes around comes around.

[@primeapegaming4277]

I pulled a justin upton milb rookie auto of his along time ago

[@johng4730]

Fun fact, Justin Upton refused a trade through a limited clause in contract to Seattle in 2013. As a Seattle fan, I remember circa 2010-11 that Seattle was preparing a package to land Upton. I hated the rumor because I knew Safeco would hurt his power and at best, I thought he would regress in the American League to only slightly better than BJ.

[@SportStorm23]

I read that too. Looks like Taijuan Walker would've became a DBack much earlier

[@justice85151]

Can you do a video on Donavan Tate? He was a promising can’t miss MLB prospect but became a huge bust.

[@Sapioso]

BJ was the supposed to be the bigger of the two. If we’re being honest, they were both successful and made great money. Uber talented but didn’t get to see 15 years of HOF greatness like 99.99% of MLB players. They both made it. I salute them both. I’m sure most guys with brothers would love something like this. I lived through them.

[@winteriscoming1008]

As a Tigers fan, I have mixed feelings about Justin. When he was hot, he could carry the lineup for weeks. But when he went cold...Holy Mary Mother of God

[@Parlimant_Strifey]

He is like the re-incarnation of Ken Griffey jr., someone needs to sign him already.

[@jaynash2645]

I was about to subscribe to support then you said compared to Ken Griffey Jr., quoting one crack head scout... I'll still give you the benefit of doubt bc I love your content...

[@bjr0467]

Justin had a good career

[@ousamaabdu794]

Justin Upton was highly regarded coming out of HS.. However, he wasn't as highly regarded as Ken Griffey Jr, Arod or Josh Hamilton. I've been following baseball since 1987 and those were the 3 most talented position players coming out of the draft in the last 40 years, hands down. Upton was a shade below that trio

[@kurttuchscherer7706]

Arizona had another very young outfielder at the same time with Upton. The duo of Upton and Chris Young made the D Backs one of the most exciting teams to watch. But the pitching sucked.

[@jokersinurface]

What I find odd is both Upton brothers had a similar seesaw careers. Both were really good or really bad. Justin's upside was higher than his brother because of his speed. I hate to see players go out like this. You always like to see one redemption season.

[@laurencelikestopgun]

He was supposed to be Mookie Betts, the elite 30/30 player.

[@joshanmarcusyuanregencia345]

Jeremy Peña vid plsssssssss

[@tslzole2772]

still a good player

[@terrytitus5291]

I actually thought B.J. had more upside because the Ray's were on the rise!

[@JasonCardbourne]

Upton here, Upton there....

[@JosiahG17]

This is a similar story of max Clark let’s just hope Clark does good

[@grahammarshall1199]

Adam Jones next

[@thecman26]

So was Billy Beane! Ya never know!

[@Soltzyy]

Hablas español?

[@amirpineiro9058]

and jason heyward

[@lilcreek6304]

What could have been the Upton bros. 757

[@humptydumpty1575]

He burnt the Spicey Chicken at Popeye's I bought last week. When I complained he just said "shut up Cracker".

[@annquach6613]

He stopped trying in Anaheim.

[@earlridleniv5110]

kind of wild when a 32 war 325 home run career is a disappointment