BJ Upton and his shoulder

[Slobula]

Who knows the story with Upton's power surge in the playoffs? Was he gaurding his left shoulder all year and only really let loose in the playoffs? That lines up with what I observed. He hit 18 homers as a 20 year old in AA - he hit 24 homers in the majors as a 22 year old in 07 and then hits only 9 in 08 but then shows the bat speed and power of Gary Sheffield in the playoffs. Yet his homer projections by all the geniuses (Bill James etc.) are in the mid teens. I suspect it was his shoulder that held him to 9 homers.

Also - does anyone have any word on how he has been swinging in BP this spring? Is he letting loose? He's a 40-40 top end and a possible 30-30 if he is letting loose. But if his shoulder is still week - he is not worth a 2nd round pick.

[ytorf]

Yeah, everything I've been hearing is that the HR shortage was shoulder-related. I haven't heard anything to make me worry about the shoulder, though. Sounds like he's ready to go, they just don't want him playing in the cold right out of spring training.

2nd round pick seems kind of high for him, though. A lot of proven studs you can get there instead of drafting on potential.