Padres' Justin Upton running again this year, on pace for 20-20 season
Besides producing at the plate, Justin Upton has been running on the bases: he has a team-high eight stolen bases without being caught. That’s already as many stolen bases as he’s had in each of the past two years. Upton credited his increased base stealing to his health, according to U-T San Diego:
“My legs just feel good,” Upton said before homering twice Sunday. “I had some nagging things going on in Atlanta that kind of stopped me from running as much, but I’m feeling healthy. I’m feeling good.”
Along with his 10 home runs, Upton is on pace to be a 20-20 player this year. He was last a 20-20 player in 2011 when he hit 31 homers and stole 21 bases. 2011 was also the last year he made the All-Star team.
Incidentally, teammate and fellow outfielder Matt Kemp has also been doing some running this year. Kemp has five stolen bases without being caught, and he was also last a 20-20 player in 2011. He was almost a 40-40 player that year with 40 steals and 39 homers.
(h/t U-T San Diego)
Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports
