Padres manager Murphy sees Upton Jr. as 'threat' on the bases
They say that speed never has a slump. That might be the key to Padres outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. reestablishing himself as a player who can make an impact. New Padres manager Pat Murphy, who managed Upton during his rehab in Triple A earlier this season, likes the center fielder’s speed. Per U-T San Diego:
“That energy, that aggressiveness, that threat – sometimes that threat to steal helps the hitter…I like him out there.”
In each of the three games that Upton has started under Murphy, Upton has hit leadoff. He’s gone 3 for 11 in those games including a triple, a stolen base and an attempted steal of home which led to a run scored on a balk. Upton spoke the U-T about using his speed:
“Some days, it might not happen with the bat but at the same time I can help the team on the base paths and definitely on defense.”
Despite his struggles last season with the Atlanta Braves, he still managed to steal 20 bases. He stole over 40 in three consecutive seasons (2008-2010) with the Tampa Bay Rays.
(h/t U-T San Diego)
Photo credit: Gregory Bull/AP Photo
