The Upton Brothers: A Tale of Two Baseball Careers

By Oliver Wiener July 24, 2024 05:59

Photo by Scott Cunningham/GettyImages

The Upton brothers, Justin and B.J., have each carved out notable careers, marked by impressive achievements and distinct skill sets. Comparing the two athletes to determine who was better is a challenge, as it involves weighing various aspects of their playing careers, including statistics, impact on their teams, and versatility.

Both Justin and B.J. had successful, long careers in Majors. The older of the two, Justin, was taken first in the 2005 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He played 16 seasons in the majors for the Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners.

Meanwhile, B.J. Upton was the second overall pick by Tampa Bay, in 2002. After playing 12 seasons in the big leagues, his most successful tenure came as a Tampa Bay Ray and Atlanta Brave.

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Statistical Comparison

Both Upton brothers had productive careers at the plate. Justin's batting line includes a.261 average, 325 homers, and 1003 RBIs. In comparison, B.J. Upton hit .243 with 164 home runs and 569 RBIs.

Both brothers were strong defensively in the outfield. Justin was awarded a Fielding Bible Award in 2011 as the leading outfielder. B.J. was an athletic outfielder with a plethora of range, but lapses led to his league-leading 13 errors as a center fielder during the 2011 campaign.

Career Accomplishments

On an individual level, Justin and B.J. Upton had standout accomplishments throughout their careers.

Justin is a four-time MLB All-Star (2009, 2011, 2012, and 2017) and the recipient of three Silver Slugger awards (2011, '14, and '17).

BJ, on the other hand, is a 1x MLB All-Star (2007), and a 1x Gold Glove winner (2012). He was instrumental in the Tampa Bay Rays' march to the Fall Classic in 2008, although they eventually succumbed to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Overall Impact and Legacy

Regarding legacy and impact, Justin Upton fared much better than his brother. His perfect blend of power, speed, and defensive prowess made him one of the most well-rounded outfielders of his day. He earned four All-Star selections, three Silver Slugger awards, and a career WAR of 32.

However, B.J. Upton was inconsistent throughout his career and never lived up to his potential. Though he has shown athleticism and defensive skills, his offensive output never measured up to his younger brother's. While BJ had some difficulties in the big leagues, a 96 OPS+ and a career WAR of only 16.2, he was still considered an above-average player.

Whether Justin or BJ Upton was better on the comparison criteria benchmark is unclear. Justin arguably takes the lead in production and power, while BJ has an all-around game that includes base-stealing, defense, and the ability to impact the game in various ways. Both brothers have left a lasting mark on MLB, each excelling in different facets of the game, thereby making a direct comparison challenging but fascinating in the context of their careers.