D-Backs take SS prospect Upton No. 1 overall

NEW YORK -- Justin Upton, a slugging high school shortstop from Virginia, was taken by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the No. 1 pick in the baseball draft Tuesday.

Upton and his brother B.J., the second pick in 2002 by Tampa Bay, are the highest-drafted siblings. The younger Upton was generally considered the best all-around athlete in this year's draft.

"I think everybody saw the same thing," Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. told the Associated Press. "They saw an extremely gifted athlete. That understandably catches your eye. And when you're around him, and around his family, you get the feeling that these people have their values together."

The 17-year-old Upton was mainly a shortstop, but also played third base and the outfield. The Virginia player of the year batted .519 with 11 home runs and 32 RBI in just 54 plate appearances.

"I think it's a combination of his athletic ability -- throwing, fielding, hitting -- in terms of what he does on the field and what would seem to be a real maturity," Garagiola said. "That's really unusual in a player that age."

Upton got the news at Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake, Va., surrounded by about 100 family members, friends and teammates.

Justin and B.J. Upton (No. 2 overall to Tampa Bay in 2002) are the highest-drafted siblings. (AP)

"This is great," Upton said after putting on a Diamondbacks hat. "And to have my family here."

Arizona picked No. 1 for the first time. The Diamondbacks' previous highest selection was No. 4 in 1999, when they took another high school shortstop, Corey Myers.

Kansas City selected Nebraska third baseman Alex Gordon with the second pick, the team's highest in draft history. Undrafted out of high school, the two-time Big 12 player of year and Golden Spikes Award finalist is hitting .382 with 18 home runs and 68 RBI for the Huskers.

Southern California catcher Jeff Clement went No. 3 to Seattle. Highly touted since he set the national high school career home run record, Clement has become an all-around hitter and solid defensive catcher.

Washington took University of Virginia third baseman Ryan Zimmerman with the fourth pick, and already agreed to contract terms with him. The Nationals will send him directly to Double-A Harrisburg to start his professional career. Zimmerman, who set a Team USA record with a .468 batting average last summer, is also a tremendous defensive player who's been described as a future Gold Glover.

Miami third baseman Ryan Braun was selected fifth by Milwaukee. The offensive leader of the Hurricanes is batting .396 with 18 homers and 75 RBI.

Toronto took Cal State Fullerton left-hander Ricky Romero with the sixth pick. The Big West pitcher of the year is 12-5 with a 2.95 ERA for the defending College World Series champions.