ESPN’s Law: Justin Upton MLB’s top player by 2017

Justin Upton’s ascent from high school phenom to All-Star
right fielder has been bumpy at times, but as we enter the
2012 season, the right fielder has firmly established
himself as one of baseball’s best young players.

Just 24, Upton owns 91 career home runs, 296 RBI and a
.277 batting average, along with 62 stolen bases and an
improving defensive game.

Oh yeah, did we mention he’s just 24?

Perhaps that’s why ESPN’s Keith Law, in an ESPN Insider piece, says Upton should be
baseball’s best player by 2017.

I’d argue Upton is the most talented high school product
to enter pro ball in the last decade when considering the
player he was on draft day, the player he has become (so
far) in the majors, and the player he’s likely to be once
he reaches his peak. Even now, entering his age-24 season,
he’s among the top dozen or so position players in the
game, and led all 25-and-under position players last year
in FanGraphs’ WAR. He can hit, get on base, hit for power
(I still think there’s a 40-homer season or two in that
bat), field and throw, and I would be shocked if he didn’t
win, or at least deserve, an MVP award before the decade
is out.

People don’t throw around the terms “most talented” and
“MVP” all willy nilly, though Law is not the first to say
these things about the former number one pick.

The good news for the Diamondbacks is Upton has still yet
to reach his prime, meaning there is still plenty of time
and room for him to improve.

If Upton does, then the team will not only have
itself a perennial All-Star, but an MVP candidate and
possibly the best player in Major League Baseball, just as
Law predicts.

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