Justin Upton started the 2008 season swinging a hot stick in April and May. But, in June Upton had a month that he would love to forget. In June, Upton played in 23 games for the D-Backs and he was 8 for 65 (.123 avg, .520 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. He also whiffed 25 times in June which is pretty amazing when you think about it. Upton has now played in 78 games this season for the D-Backs and he is 61 for 258 (.236 avg, .768 OPS) with 40 runs scored, 9 homers and 29 RBIs. Upton has whiffed 91 times already this season which is downright pathetic. If he doesn’t turn things around soon the D-Backs will have to look to replace him in the starting lineup. The bad thing about it for the D-Backs is that they would likely have to trade for a hitter if they want to replace Upton because they don’t really have anyone ready in the minors plus they are already without Eric Byrnes.

It seems that the pitchers have begun to catch up to Justin Upton in May. Upton has played in 24 games this month for the D-Backs and he is 16 for 77 (.208 avg, .703 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 1 homer and 9 RBIs. But for the season, Upton still has decent numbers. He has played in 51 games for the Diamondbacks this season and he is 49 for 178 (.275 avg, .829 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 6 homers and 24 RBIs. The D-Backs need him to get his swing back soon or they might start to have problems scoring runs.

Stephen Drew came to the Diamondbacks with the reputation that he was going to be a good big league hitter like his big brother J.D. of the Red Sox.  He might still be able to achieve that goal but you wouldn’t now it based on this season.  He has really been overmatched in the 2nd half of the season.  In 54 games since the All-Star Break, Drew is 37 of 183 (.202 avg, .655 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 7 homers and 21 RBIs.  For the season, Drew has played in 136 games and he is hitting .227 (.663 OPS) with 54 runs scored, 11 homers and 50 RBIs.  The Diamondbacks expected much more out of Drew this season.

The D-Backs knew that offense could be a problem with them playing so many young kids and it has been.  Starting shortstop Stephen Drew is only hitting .242 with 32 runs scored, 4 homers and 29 RBIs this season and he has been a huge disappointment.  Still, Drew will get the 2nd half of the season to turn things around.  Chris Young is only hitting .233 this season but he has scored 38 runs, hit 13 homers, driven in 31 runs and stole 9 bases.  Young has the skills to be an impact hitter so the D-Backs would settle with a sub-par average in return for power production and he should be able to give them that.  Catcher Chris Snyder has been pretty bad with the bat as he is hitting .211 with 19 runs scored, 7 homers and 16 RBIs so far this season.  If he doesn’t start to hit better soon Miguel Montero is going to start getting the bulk of the playing time behind the plate.  Tony Clark is only hitting .211 this season but his power has returned as he has 8 homers and 24 RBIs in 109 atbats. 

The Diamondbacks expected a lot out of Carlos Quentin and he hasn’t come through for them.  In 29 games this season, Quentin is only 18 for 91 (.198 avg, .602 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 1 homer and 9 RBIs.  If Quentin doesn’t start to hit soon he will find himself back in the minors because the D-Backs need hitting from their outfield.