Atlanta Braves fans, say hello to Melvin Upton Jr…
Atlanta Braves center fielder B.J. Upton has been a colossal bust since being acquired, and he has looked nothing like that promising prospect who shined for the Tampa Bay Rays.
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Due to playing poorly the past two seasons, Upton will go by his given name, Melvin, from now on. “Upton Jr.” will be on the back of his jersey, as his full given name is Melvin Emanuel Upton.
Upton hit 24 home runs with 82 RBIs and a .300 batting average in the 2007 season and shined in the 2008 postseason with seven home runs.
He was never the same, but he was still able to maintain his power hitting with 51 home runs from 2011-12 although his average fell to over .240. Upton has batted .198 over the past two seasons with just 21 home runs while striking out 324 times.
Sporting News reported on Upton’s attempt to turn his luck around on Twitter.
B.J. Upton is changing his name for the 2015 season. Yep, that should help. http://t.co/C4U2ffzzNQ pic.twitter.com/y60kcCNIJH
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 22, 2015
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