Earlier in the year, when MLN caught up with BJ in Spring Training, he told us that he had been working with Ozzie Smith and others to bring his D up to where he wants it to be.

Upton was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays with the second overall pick in the 2002 draft after hitting .645 with 24 homers in an awesome high school career at Greenbrier Christian (Va.) Academy.

It didn't take him long to make his mark: He split the 2003 season between low-A Charleston and Double-A Orlando, hitting a combined .297 with 8 homers and 62 RBI. Last year, he vaulted from Double-A Montgomery to Triple-A Durham and finally the Devil Rays on Aug. 19, at the ripe old age of 19 years, 11 months and 10 days.

He held his own in the Show, hitting .258-4-12 in 45 games. Still, the D-Rays dugout is not as rookie-friendly as other clubs, and it was obvious this future star needed a little more seasoning.

In 2005 BJ has been at Durham all season and, defense aside, is putting together a strong season with a .307 average to date, 16 home runs and 62 RBIs.

Upton’s real name is Melvin. His dad, Manny, was called “Bossman,” making Melvon “Bossman Junior” (B.J. for short). Now, he’s making a name for himself.

 "I'm pretty satisfied with where I'm at,'' says Upton, who grew up idolizing Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. Upton wears No. 2 like Jeter but says it’s just a coincidence. "I had a lot of fun in the big leagues, and it was a great experience. Now it's time to do enough to get back there.''

Upton was the fourth Chesapeak, Va., product taken in the first round of the draft since 1997, joining third basemen Michael Cuddyer (Minnesota) and David Wright (New York Mets) and pitcher John Curtice (Boston).

"I've been fortunate to have guys like Cuddyer and Wright tell me what playing in the big leagues would be like,'' Upton says. "They've helped prepare me.''

Upton led the minors with 56 errors in 2003 and is poised to repeat in 2005. Through July 25, he had 36 for Durham. He says he has been able to avoid letting his poor defense affect his offense.

"You’ve got to separate the two," he says. "When you’re out there, it’s defense in the field and offense at the plate."

Upton shows great discipline at the plate for someone so young, though he still strikes out too much and is vulnerable to the curveball.

He shows a bit less discipline on the PR side. One of the International League picks for the Triple-A All-Star Game, he was a no-show until the day of the game, the only one on either club to dis the Sactown baseball fest.

There is some debate as to whether Upton eventually will move to another position. Last year with Tampa Bay, he played 16 games at short, 11 at third, one in left field. He also played 13 at DH, becoming the youngest designated hitter in the majors since Oakland’s Claudell Washington in 1974.

 There’s no debate in Upton’s mind.

 “I’m a shortstop," he says matter-of-factly. The best one in his family, he'll add too.

That may be because the fifth Chesapeak, VA player to go into the draft went No. 1, and he's in the family (See the 2005 Draft). The Arizona Diamondbacks took Upton’s younger brother as the first of the first round. Justin, too, is a speedy shortstop with unlimited potential.

 So who’s better?

 “Me, by far,’’ B.J. says.

 Then he laughs.

 “My brother has done some great things,’’ he said, “and he’s going to be a great player.’’

A first round pick in the 2002 MLB draft, he still ranks in the top three. We think that Upton will work out the kinks and be a big leaguer by 2006, although bets are off as to what part of the field that will be in, Upton's modesty aside. With his bat, if he can't get the errors as a shortstop down, the outfield calls.

- Jim Mandelaro contributed to this review

See Also: MLN FAB50 2004; Tampa Bay Devil Rays Farm Notes