Dan Uggla: Small Guy Carrying a Big Stick for the Florida Marlins

No, fans—this 5'10" second basemen isn't just another Nate McLouth.  Dan Uggla is a legit player in the major leagues.

After hitting 31 home runs last year, and 27 his rookie year in 2006, Uggla has walloped 13 over the wall so far this season through 42 games.  It is quite rare these days to see a player of such small stature put up such large power numbers to go along with a solid batting average. 

But this player is a second baseman.  Historically, the least offensively-skilled position in the lineup.  After hitting an above-average .282 at the plate his rookie year, Uggla is hitting a superb .316 this year, and is driving in runs with the best of them.  Uggla's 31 RBI put him in the top portion of the NL, and his aforementioned 13 HRs are impressive, to say the least.

This may be the best player you have yet to hear about.  Playing in a uber-small market in Miami has hindered Uggla from receiving the appreciation he deserves.   So far in his short career, Uggla has put up averages of 32 HRs and 95 RBI per season.  Those stats are only slightly overshadowed by his double-play connection, shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who is taking MLB by storm. 

No one seems to appreciate his defense, either.  Uncommonly for most second basemen, offense is his strong suit.  But Uggla has turned in some great plays this season at second, and there is rarely a day that goes by without seeing Uggla on SportsCenter highlights.

The kid is just that good.  At his price—a $417,000 salary—Uggla could drastically decrease his production and still be worth the price tag.   Granted, he is already 28 years old, which is by no means young as far as the majors are concerned, but with just two years under his belt, he has a lot of time to make improvements.

Progressing from a former 11th-round pick (338th overall), to one of the finest second basemen in the MLB is something Uggla has just taken in stride.  Hell, I'm sure not even Uggla saw this start coming to his pro career.  After all, he spent five seasons in the Diamondbacks' farm system before being claimed by the Marlins in the 2006 Rule Five Draft.

More special is that Uggla is the first player ever to be picked to an All-Star Game (2006), in the same season in which he was picked in the Rule Five Draft.

And after most MLB experts picked the Florida Marlins to finish last in the NL East, Uggla, along with teammate Ramirez, have led the Marlins into first place after a quarter of the season.  The Marlins have been quite a surprise this year, after two of their most established players—Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis—left for Detroit this past offseason.

Although his pace is sure to decrease at least somewhat, Uggla is projected to hit 50 HRs with 119 RBI this year.  That would almost assure that the Marlins stay out of the cellar in the NL East.

In any case, Uggla is definitely one player to watch for the rest of the season, because this kid can downright rake.