CHESAPEAKE, Va., June 1 (UPI) -- Baseball prospect Justin Upton is focused on finishing his Virginia high school career, but said he wants to make history in the major league draft.
Teammates at Great Bridge High School, Chesapeake, Va., "mean more to me than the draft right now," Upton told USA Today. "I need to help myself and my team win a state championship."
Upton and his Wildcat teammates headed for regional semifinal playoffs Wednesday.
The 17-year-old named Gatorade's high school player of 2005 and watched by up to 20 scouts at a time also looked forward to next Tuesday's draft.
Should he be the No. 1 choice, Upton and his older brother B.J., the No. 3 MLB draft in 2002, would be the highest-drafted brothers in MLB history.
That would surpass brothers Delmon Young, the No. 1 MLB pick in 2003, and Dmitri Young, the No. 4 pick in 1991.
Despite a competitive brother who often made him cry, Upton said he and his 20-year-old sibling are close.
"I wouldn't be the player I am today if (B.J.) cut me any slack," Justin said.
