Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton and Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen have become two of the sexiest names in baseball in 2011. And for good reason. Both players have become legitimate stars after they were high first round draft picks in the 2005 MLB draft (Upton 1st overall, McCutchen 11th). Both were All Stars this season, they are both currently in the top 6 in WAR in the National League and both players have been the best players on teams that have over achieved this season (and up until 2 weeks ago both of their teams were in pennant races, not so much anymore for the Pirates). But the question today is whom would you rather have going forward?
Despite both being drafted straight out of high school, Upton was much more of a known commodity than McCutchen. In 2002, Justin’s brother BJ Upton was the #2 overall pick in the draft. Billed as being even more talented than his older brother, Justin one-upped BJ by being the 1st overall pick and made his big league debut in 2007 at the age of 19 and has never looked back. McCutchen made his big league debut for Pittsburgh in 2009 at the age of 22 and has been their starting CF ever since. Let’s take a look at the numbers, starting with McCutchen:
