ST. PETERSBURG - In the year 2014, B.J. Upton will be named MVP of the American League. Perhaps you wish to write it down.
In the year 2013, Upton will have a bit part in the new Rock movie starring the Rock, a remake of The Magnificent Seven. Get your tickets early.
In the year 2012, and this is from the mouth of Rays owner Vince Naimoli, Upton will be an established star. "In eight years," Naimoli said, "B.J. Upton will be Alex Rodriguez."
There are players who allow you to see into the future. There are players who invite you not only to see what they are, but what they will be. There are players who part the mist, like clouds dissipating inside a crystal ball, until suddenly, you are staring at tomorrow.
B.J. Upton is that kind of player. He lopes across an infield, skinny legs and all, for the start of a meaningless intrasquad game on a forgettable morning, and just like that, you are time traveling. It's like watching a savings bond; you keep checking the date to see when it matures.
This is not yet Upton's day, and this is not yet his time. He is 19, and even in the Devil Rays clubhouse, there are tattoos older than he is. He works around the fringes of camp, hanging around with fellow phenom Delmon Young.
But there are moments, brief glimpses into what will be, that will make you check the calendar on your watch. He moves fluidly to his right to field a ball and start an easy double play. He paws at the dirt with his front foot in the batter's box. He narrows his eyes, and you narrow yours, and the surroundings change. Suddenly, the player matters, and the team and the game along with it.
In the year 2011, Upton will drive in 106 runs. Remember him in your Rotisserie League.
In the year 2010, Upton will hit 24 home runs. It will not be his best season.
In the year 2009, and you can trust teammate Carl Crawford on this, "He'll be one of the best shortstops in the league, and he'll be getting ready to play in the All-Star Game."
Go ahead. Let your imagination run wild. Baseball America calls Upton the No.2 prospect in the minor leagues, and frankly, there are those who think he is underrated.
"You don't find very many players who don't have a ceiling," Rays general manager Chuck LaMar said. "You see most players you think, "He's going to be a major-league player.' Or, "He's going to be a good major-league player.' With B.J., you just don't know how good he could be. Getting to the major leagues is not the question. It's how good he's going to be."
Upton believes. If you don't get lost in the whisper of his voice, you'll be amazed by the volume of his ambition.
For instance, Upton was asked if making nine All-Star Games in 10 seasons would satisfy him. Upton shakes his head.
"Why not 10 out of 10?" he said.
Cam Bonifay, the Rays director of scouting, hears about the comment and grins. Bonifay loves the low-key confidence of the kid shortstop. How could you not?
"The great players all seem to have a degree of that," Bonifay said. "I think it's essential for a great player."
Put it this way. Even if the Rays were to drop him in the lineup now, he says, he would be okay.
"I've never doubted myself," Upton said. "I've always felt I could play. I could hit."
True, the kid has some growing to do. It was only a year ago when spring training seemed to overwhelm him. Upton was like a thoroughbred colt, limbs askew and eyes wide, as he saw the big leagues up close for the first time.
"What's he doing in five years?" Rays designated hitter Aubrey Huff says. "Well, I hope he's in the big leagues by then."
Huff's tongue was in his cheek, but he has a point. At a time such as this, of course, a team is wise to proceed with caution. The Rays, as much as anyone, know that. It wasn't long ago we were peeking into the future with Josh Hamilton, who managed to stumble along the way.
The same potholes are there for Upton. It can be difficult to deal with fame, with fortune, with pressure, with potential. Injuries happen. Circumstances change. Celebrity arrives. Other players, other phenoms, have wilted under one or the other.
All of that said, there is a poise to Upton. He carries himself as if he belongs in a major-league infield.
In the year 2008, Upton signs a contract extension with the Rays. He denies tabloid reports that he is dating either Mary-Kate or Ashley Olsen.
In the year 2007, Upton makes his first All-Star Game. Derek Jeter asks if he can play second base and, by the way, does he like pinstripes?
In the year 2005, Upton is the starting shortstop for the Rays on opening night. And for a decade's worth of opening nights to come.
Okay, okay. We're getting ahead of ourselves here. Of course we are. For now, Upton has lessons to learn and ripening to complete.
The immediate future? He is going to hang around spring training and get as much flavor of the game as he can tolerate. He'll probably go to Double-A Montgomery to start the season. Barring injury, or exceptional play, he'll probably be back in September.
For now, however, the fun of the morning is to watch Upton and try to see into the distance. There are a lot of moments to come. A lot of memories await.
