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04/03/2006 10:05 PM ET
Silver Hawks' Upton to miss two weeks
D-Backs' top prospect will move to center field upon return
By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com
Justin Upton originally tweaked his left shoulder during a big-league game this spring, and he then aggravated it later in a Minor League game. (AP)

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DENVER -- Diamondbacks super prospect Justin Upton is expected to miss the first two weeks of the Minor League season after injuring his left shoulder this spring.

And when he does return to action, it will be as a center fielder.

The 18-year-old, who wowed the baseball staff during his time in Major League camp this spring, originally tweaked the shoulder during a big-league game and then aggravated it later in a Minor League game.

"It's nothing serious," general manager Josh Byrnes said. "We're just being a little extra cautious with it and we want to give it some time to calm down."

The No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft, Upton was primarily a shortstop in high school. Originally slated to begin his professional career at Class A South Bend, he will still do that, just a couple of weeks late, and the club has decided in recent days to shift him to center field.

When they signed him to a record $6.1 million deal in January, the Diamondbacks said they planned on developing him as a shortstop despite the presence in the system of shortstop Stephen Drew, the club's No. 1 pick in 2004.

But after the baseball staff talked things over and also had discussions with Upton, his family and his agent Larry Reynolds, they decided that they would make the move.

"I just think we all put our heads together and felt like it was best to do it right now," Byrnes said. "We think this is the best thing for him. This could allow him to advance at a faster pace."

At the time of the draft, numerous scouts said they thought Upton's best position would be the outfield. Hitting has never been a question with him, and he showed it this spring when he was 7-for-14 with three doubles and a triple in his two weeks of Cactus League play.

"He handles himself way beyond his years," D-Backs manager Bob Melvin said.

Upton is the younger brother of B.J. Upton, who was the No. 2 overall pick of the Devil Rays in 2002.

Veteran Luis Gonzalez, who hit 57 home runs in 2001, was impressed after taking batting practice with Upton.

"I couldn't hit the ball that far at 18," Gonzalez said. "I still can't."

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.