Justin Upton Career Statistics and MLB Overview
Justin Upton is a professional baseball outfielder with a career batting average of .247, 318 home runs, and 967 RBIs through the most recent completed MLB season. He has played primarily for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, and Los Angeles Angels. His advanced metrics include a career 124 OPS+ and a wRC+ of 118, indicating above-average offensive production relative to league average. More detailed career figures are available on official MLB statistical pages.
Upton has appeared in 1,839 games over 16 MLB seasons, accumulating 1,701 hits, 342 doubles, 53 triples, and 1,113 runs scored. His defensive metrics show a career -12 Defensive Runs Saved and a -1.5 UZR, reflecting a below-average defensive range in right and left field. He has played 1,014 games in right field, 412 in left field, and 291 in center field. The official MLB statistics portal provides the full breakdown of his game-by-game logs.
Recent Performance and Seasonal Averages
In the most recent completed season, Justin Upton hit .231 with 16 home runs, 52 RBIs, and a .714 OPS over 135 games. He struck out 154 times while walking 46, resulting in a K/BB ratio of 3.35. His barrel rate was 6.1%, and his average exit velocity was 87.3 mph, below his career peak. Advanced Statcast data from the official MLB website tracks these metrics in real time.
Over the past three seasons, Upton has averaged 14 home runs and 50 RBIs per 162 games, with an on-base percentage of .301 and a slugging percentage of .413. His wOBA has declined from .320 in 2021 to .298 in the most recent season, reflecting age-related offensive decline. He remains a left-handed hitter with a career 95 wRC+ against right-handed pitching and a 104 wRC+ against left-handed pitching. The Baseball Reference advanced metrics page provides the full seasonal splits.
Contract, Team History, and Key Milestones
Justin Upton signed a two-year, $48 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels in December 2021, with a player option for the 2024 season. Before joining the Angels, he earned a six-year, $133.5 million extension with the Atlanta Braves in 2017. His career highlights include two Silver Slugger Awards (2014, 2016), four All-Star selections (2014, 2016, 2017, 2021), and the 2016 Hank Aaron Award as the top offensive player in the American League.
Upton was selected 2nd overall in the 2005 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks and made his MLB debut on August 2, 2007. He became the 14th player in MLB history to record 1,000 career RBIs with two different teams. His brother, Melvin Upton Jr., also known as B.J. Upton, is a former MLB shortstop and center fielder. The official MLB contract and transaction records detail his full team history and financial terms.