Arizona Diamondbacks Update: Justin Upton Finally Hitting His Stride

The Arizona Diamondbacks and 23-year-old right fielder Justin Upton have been leaps and bounds better than their record and his stats from a year ago.

Who would have thought that the D-Backs would be a half-game up on the reigning World Series champion San Francisco Giants and leading the NL West?

I sure didn't. To be honest, I didn't have too much faith in this team. I pondered how the future could be bright while the current status would result in another last place finish.

The same could be said of Upton. I knew his future and potential could be outstanding if honed properly, but didn't know if this would be the season, especially with the departure of Mark Reynolds and no real protective bats around him.

Many fans and baseball analysts were also concerned about J-Up and his declining stats from the 2009 season (.300 BA, 26 HR, 86 RBI) to the 2010 season (.273, 17, 69). 

Was he still mentally not ready to be that "star" everyone thought he would be? How much longer is it going to take for him to start producing consistently?

Well, he has sure proved everyone wrong this season, handling the third spot in the batting order exceedingly well.

For the season, Upton just recently cracked the .300 average mark, posting a .305 average to go along with 12 home runs, 39 RBIs, 42 runs scored and 13 stolen bases.

He also hit his first walk-off home run and was named the NL Player of the Week this past week.

The first overall pick of the 2005 MLB Draft seems to be having that breakout season, similar to 2009, that will put his name back on the baseball map and up with the best outfielders in the game.

With continued progress and a good work ethic, Upton could be an All-Star for years to come.

And while I'm on the subject, do you think Upton will make this year's All-Star game?

He absolutely should. Not only is he putting up the stats that should get him more votes, but the game is also in his ballpark.

And as for the Diamondback's season, well, as I have said before, I think they will capture the NL West and look to prove people wrong in the postseason.