Three of MLB’s rising stars drawing comparisons

The 2005 Major League Baseball draft class produced three
of the game’s rising stars.

The Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen, the Reds’ Jay Bruce and the
Diamondbacks’ Justin Upton have already left an indelible
mark on baseball for their small to mid-market teams and
now all three players have cashed in on their early
success.

McCutchen inked a six-year, $51.5 million contract extension
Monday and now makes nearly identical money to Bruce
and Upton.

Two years ago, Upton came to terms with the D-backs on a
six-year extension worth $51.25 million and Bruce agreed
to a six-year, $51 million deal with the Reds in December
2010.

All three players are All-Stars and entering their age-25
seasons. Due to the close proximity in which they were
drafted, their production level is often subject to
comparisons.

In 2005, Upton was selected No. 1 overall, McCutchen was
taken 11th and Bruce right after with the 12th pick. Fast
forward to 2012 and the question now is, which player has
proved most valuable to his team and worthy of their
lucrative contract?

Upton seemed to come into his own in 2011, posting a .289
average with 31 home runs and 88 RBI. He finished 4th in
the National League MVP balloting. For his career, the D-
backs’ right fielder is a two-time All-Star and boasts a
.277 average with 91 home runs and 296 RBI. After last
season’s breakout campaign, it appears the budding
superstar’s best days are yet to come.

The Pirates long-term commitment to McCutchen signifies
the team’s belief that he’s a core piece of their offense
worth building around. Last season, the speedy center
fielder hit .259 with 23 home runs and 89 RBI. McCutchen’s
career batting average of .276 is comparable to Upton’s
but his power numbers (51 HRs, 199 RBI) are far inferior.
McCutchen’s wheels have garnered him the most attention
and after posting career-highs in HRs and RBIs, it appears
he is on the cusp of stardom.

From the start of his career, Bruce’s bat has packed a
punch. The Reds’ right fielder has hit 20-plus home runs
in his first four seasons and belted 32 long balls in
2011. In 2010, Bruce batted .281 and while his average
dipped to .256 in 2011, he has shown he can hit for
average at the Major League level. His career power
numbers (100 HRs, 277 RBI) closely resemble Upton’s.

Entering 2012, Upton may have the slight edge over
McCutchen and Bruce in career production, but that doesn’t
necessarily mean he’s destined for the best career. But it
also doesn’t mean he isn’t. Upton arguably has the highest
ceiling of the trio when it comes to potential and talent,
so if he can build upon a promising 2011 season, watch
out.

Upton and Bruce appear to be similar players who have been
known more for their power than average. McCutchen could
prove to be the most well-rounded of the three when you
factor in his speed.

With their three careers already so closely intertwined,
it will be interesting to see how McCutchen, Bruce and
Upton evolve as ballplayers into their prime.

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