ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Upton’s struggles reek of immaturity

Aug 9, 2011, 5:48 PM | Updated: 9:17 pm

Baseball players go through ups and downs throughout the course of a season, and the D-backs’ Justin Upton is no exception.

Coming off a road trip where he was simply dominant, Upton has gone 2-16 over the last four games, three of which the Diamondbacks have lost.

While bad, his struggles at the plate aren’t what concerns Sports 620 KTAR’s Doug Franz.

“It is a mentally weak moment when you are taking your bat out onto the field,” he said of Upton’s recent struggles in right field. “It’s a sign of immaturity and that stinks.”

Franz made sure to note how young Upton is (23) and how well he’s been playing, adding that slumps happen.

“But the idea of two things here: number one, his defense falling off, and number two, where have been the other guys to pick him up?”

Upton is the face of the franchise and the team’s best player, so of course he will be held to a higher standard. That said, there will be nights where he doesn’t play his best, and you hope the rest of the team can pick up the slack.

That hasn’t been the case lately.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Jordan Montgomery...

Alex Weiner

What went wrong for Jordan Montgomery, Diamondbacks in loss to Dodgers

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said nothing went the way they expected after a blowout loss to the Dodgers.

15 minutes ago

Blake Walston...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks prospect Blake Walston’s Las Vegas call-up: ‘I was at the table’

Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Blake Walston was at the Blackjack table when he received the news of a lifetime. 

5 hours ago

Gabriel Moreno...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno scratched from lineup vs. Dodgers

The Diamondbacks scratched starting catcher Gabriel Moreno from Wednesday's lineup against the Dodgers at Chase Field. 

6 hours ago

Zac Gallen...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks push Zac Gallen start back for rest after hamstring scare

Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen's next start has been pushed back after Tuesday's bees delay shook up the starting rotation. 

7 hours ago

Blake Walston throws a pitch during spring training...

Tyler Drake

Diamondbacks recall LHP Blake Walston, option lefty Andrew Saalfrank to Reno

The Arizona Diamondbacks recalled left-handed pitcher Blake Walston from the Triple-A Reno Aces on Wednesday.

9 hours ago

Beekeeper clearing the bees at Chase Field D-backs-Dodgers game....

Arizona Sports

Bee guy Q&A: Matt Hilton explains of why swarm delayed Dodgers-Diamondbacks

Matt Hilton, the bee guy who removed a swarm, explained why it disrupted the start of the Dodgers-Diamondbacks game.

12 hours ago

Upton’s struggles reek of immaturity