People always seem to forget Upton is only 23 years old. Most baseball players don't hit their prime until the mid to late 20's. Upton is still at least 2 years from his prime.
That's a good point. And so is the feeling that Justin does too many flaky things to ever satisfy everyone as a potential true superstar. Such as careless throws in from right field.
I think another point of view is that he developed under two extremely passive Managers -- Melvin and Hinch.
We won't get a real good idea of what level Justin might reach until a Manager with leadership ability -- Kirk Gibson -- is in charge from the beginning of spring training until the final game of the season.
That will begin before we know it.
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I also think that the D'backs mis-handle potential superstars like Upton and Brandon Allen by burying them at the bottom of the batting order, where they hardly ever see good pitches to hit.
Potential heart-of-the-lineup hitters should be moved into that situation shortly after they join the team. Especially if the team is buried in last place. They waited way too long in Upton's case.
I can't forget that Melvin moved Justin to 3rd in the order and he exploded. So what did he do? Dropped him back down to 7th or 8th two games later and he went into a funk again.
Melvin didn't take advantage of his potential and he certainly didn't motivate him. If the young Justin Upton was weighed down with a "what's the use" reaction, I really couldn't blame him.
