ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick has a nice feature on D-backs outfielder Justin Upton today, running on the front of their MLB page.

It’s not behind the Insider wall, so anybody can read it. Here’s the link.

It includes an interesting passage with a note about a player to whom Upton seems quite similar:

The contract is similar to deals signed recently by Hanley Ramirez, Nick Markakis and Ryan Zimmerman, but also to a deal signed by a player to whom Upton has drawn early comparisons: Ken Griffey Jr., who signed a four-year, $24 million deal in 1992 at the age of 22.

Griffey was already a star at the time, and the contract paid off huge for the Mariners when Junior continued to improve and become one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Griffey and Upton have developed a bit of a friendship in recent years, with Griffey lending advice to Upton.

“He actually helped me out a lot last year,” Upton said. “Just the mind-set he has [in baseball]. When it comes down to it, you’re playing a baseball game for a living, and so make it fun and have fun doing it. When things are going bad, smile and continue playing hard.”

Anyway, go check it out. It’s a solid feature.