02/10/2006 10:00 AM ET

 

Uggla out to make a name for himself

 

Young infielder ready to battle for second baseman's job

 

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.comWESTON, Fla. -- With his aggressive style and impressive power numbers, Dan Uggla has long heard himself compared with some gifted second basemen. Jim Fleming, the Marlins' vice president of player development and scouting, says that Uggla is cut of the mold of former Brave Mark Lemke.

 

"I've heard the Mark Lemke comparison," said Uggla during a Marlins caravan stop. "I've heard the Marcus Giles comparison, and the Jeff Kent comparison. Some have said I'm like Bret Boone. Those are a lot of names. I haven't even played a game yet. So any time I hear a name like that, it's like, 'Wow.' To be compared to them is something nice for me. It just gives me something to work hard for."

 

On a remodeled Marlins roster, Uggla certainly is being given an opportunity to make a name for himself.

 

Obtained in the Rule 5 Draft out of the Arizona system, Uggla is a strong contender to become the Marlins' starting second baseman.

 

He is in the mix with Pokey Reese and Alfredo Amezaga. Because of his potentially strong bat, he will be given every shot to win the starting job.

 

As part of their youth movement, the Marlins for now are leaning toward starting younger players in order to give them time to develop.

 

As a Rule 5 pick, Uggla has to stay on the Marlins' Major League roster all season or be offered back to the Diamondbacks system.

 

"The Rule 5 thing is a long-shot, especially in the Major League phase," said Uggla. "But that was what I was hoping for. I didn't know if it would happen, but luckily, the Marlins picked me."

 

After putting up big numbers at Double-A Tennessee last season, Uggla expected to be on Arizona's 40-man roster. When he was left off, the Marlins eagerly claimed him in December's draft.

 

Uggla spent last season in the Southern League, which includes the Marlins' Double-A affiliate, the Carolina Mudcats. So Florida evaluators were able to scout the 25-year-old second baseman.

 

"Any time you've got a chance to be the starting second baseman coming out of Double-A, that's something to get pumped up about," said Uggla, who played college ball at Memphis.

 

Defensively, he isn't in the class of three-time Gold Glove winner Luis Castillo, the longtime Marlin who was traded to the Twins. His defense is described as solid. The plate is where he has the chance to make his biggest impact.

 

For the Tennessee Smokies last season, Uggla batted .297 with 21 home runs and 87 RBIs. He added 33 doubles and three triples, and posted a .502 slugging percentage, along with a .378 on-base percentage.

 

Following a strong Minor League season, he appeared in 29 games in the Arizona Fall League. Again he hit for average and power, batting .304 with seven homers, seven doubles and 22 RBIs.

 

During the AFL season, Uggla was approached by John Mallee, the Marlins' Minor League hitting coordinator who is also an assistant in the AFL.

 

Mallee told the infielder that he liked his swing and to keep doing what he was doing. At the time, Uggla had no idea that the Marlins were considering him as a possible replacement for Castillo.

 

When Uggla became available for the Rule 5 Draft, he heard whispers that the Rockies were also interested. Instead he ended up as one of two players the Marlins selected in the Major League phase of the draft. The other is left-handed reliever Michael Megrew, who was selected out of the Dodgers system.

 

"You don't quite know exactly how it's going to be until you get down here," said Uggla. "I know jobs are wide open. I know a lot of young guys are excited. I'm excited. I just can't wait to get things going and start competing.

 

"Any way you look at it, I have a chance to make the big-league team and be with them the whole year. If not, I go to Triple-A [in Arizona]. This was the best situation I can think of."

Does he have any speed? Could be a hybrid 2-hole guy.

Does he have any speed? Could be a hybrid 2-hole guy.

 

Well he stole more bases last season that Castillo (15 vs 10) and as many as 24 in 2003 in A ball. What conclusions you can draw from that I can't say difinitively. I guess we'll have to see what transpires in March and how Girardi uses guys in potential steal situations.

Does he have any speed? Could be a hybrid 2-hole guy.

 

Well he stole more bases last season that Castillo (15 vs 10) and as many as 24 in 2003 in A ball. What conclusions you can draw from that I can't say difinitively. I guess we'll have to see what transpires in March and how Girardi uses guys in potential steal situations.

 

:mischief2

 

Still, there has to be something wrong with him. Every stat report I've seen on him is quite impressive, and even coming from a system as loaded as the D'Backs, a guy like that usually shouldn't be left unprotected.

 

Uggla and Petit are the two players I'm most looking forward to in the spring.

He did strike out 103 times in 500 ABs last season so obviously as much as the Marlins liked his swing, there's a flaw somewhere. But to be fair, if he can put up anywhere near the numbers he did last season at the big league level you wouldn't be able to get him out of the starting lineup with thermonuclear weapons.

 

Swift, maybe it's because we always root for the underdog, but I happen to agree that he's one guy I'm really looking forward to seeing this spring.

 

I'm getting more excited by the day waiting for spring training to start. I can't wait to see these guys in person. For me it's Uggla, Bowyer, Petit and Johnson.

Does he have any speed? Could be a hybrid 2-hole guy.

 

Well he stole more bases last season that Castillo (15 vs 10) and as many as 24 in 2003 in A ball. What conclusions you can draw from that I can't say difinitively. I guess we'll have to see what transpires in March and how Girardi uses guys in potential steal situations.

 

:mischief2

 

Still, there has to be something wrong with him. Every stat report I've seen on him is quite impressive, and even coming from a system as loaded as the D'Backs, a guy like that usually shouldn't be left unprotected.

 

Uggla and Petit are the two players I'm most looking forward to in the spring.

 

When scouts compare you to Mark Lemke...maybe that's why he was un-protected.

Does he have any speed? Could be a hybrid 2-hole guy.

 

Well he stole more bases last season that Castillo (15 vs 10) and as many as 24 in 2003 in A ball. What conclusions you can draw from that I can't say difinitively. I guess we'll have to see what transpires in March and how Girardi uses guys in potential steal situations.

 

:mischief2

 

Still, there has to be something wrong with him. Every stat report I've seen on him is quite impressive, and even coming from a system as loaded as the D'Backs, a guy like that usually shouldn't be left unprotected.

 

Uggla and Petit are the two players I'm most looking forward to in the spring.

 

When scouts compare you to Mark Lemke...maybe that's why he was un-protected.

 

Ah, selective reading is wonderful.

 

Let's not take things out of context, now:

 

"I've heard the Mark Lemke comparison," said Uggla during a Marlins caravan stop. "I've heard the Marcus Giles comparison, and the Jeff Kent comparison. Some have said I'm like Bret Boone. Those are a lot of names. I haven't even played a game yet. So any time I hear a name like that, it's like, 'Wow.' To be compared to them is something nice for me. It just gives me something to work hard for."

 

So, he's been compared to a World Series MVP in Lemke, All-Stars in Giles and Boone and a future Hall of Famer in Kent. But why let that stand in the way of you being overly negative, chum?

When scouts compare you to Mark Lemke...maybe that's why he was un-protected.

 

All you have to do is look at the D'Backs' group of infield prospects and you have your answer. They tried to sneak him through and got caught. If they had left him on the 40 man roster some other quality prospect would have been available. The same goes for McGrew who the Dodgers tried to hide by shutting him down last fall as he was coming off rehab in hopes no one would take a chance on him in the Rule 5 draft.

 

Obviously Uggla can hit, the question really is whether he has the range to play everyday in the bigs. My guess is, like hopefully most of the kids looking to secure a spot, he's been working on his shortcomings this off-season and a month with Perry Hill will improve his range and how he goes about manning second base.

You might want to look up World Series history before you spew garbage. Mark Lemke hit .272, with 1 run and o RBI when the won in 1995.

I really hope he starts. He seems legit and I love the underdog/success stories (I was rooting for Marty Malloy a few years back). I think he can be something special.

You might want to look up World Series history before you spew garbage. Mark Lemke hit .272, with 1 run and o RBI when the won in 1995.

 

 

Anyone else see tons of irony in that?

 

You know that they won in 1991, right?

 

Nah, of course you don't.

You might want to look up World Series history before you spew garbage. Mark Lemke hit .272, with 1 run and o RBI when the won in 1995.

 

 

Anyone else see tons of irony in that?

 

You know that they won in 1991, right?

 

Nah, of course you don't.

 

Want to bet your house on that.....Ferryboy?

 

I meant Swift. Sorry, don't want to confuse you with David Samson's twin brother.

 

Does the name Jack Morris mean anything to you. The Braves have won 1 World Series since Bobby Cox got there.

You might want to look up World Series history before you spew garbage. Mark Lemke hit .272, with 1 run and o RBI when the won in 1995.

 

 

Anyone else see tons of irony in that?

 

You know that they won in 1991, right?

 

Nah, of course you don't.

 

Want to bet your house on that.....Ferryboy?

 

I meant Swift. Sorry, don't want to confuse you with David Samson's twin brother.

 

Does the name Jack Morris mean anything to you. The Braves have won 1 World Series since Bobby Cox got there.

 

I misspoke. He hit .417 in the World Series and was named the Braves MVP, Morris was indeed the MVP.

From what I can tell, his defense is what has hurt him. I have never seen him play, so I can't say for certain, but that has to be a factor in why the D-Backs never called him up. There are many players who are quality hitters but have no real position (Millar for example). I think he has a real chance to start if he can prove decent with his glove. As mentioned before, Perry Hill should be able to help with that. I'm rooting for the guy because if there's one thing I want to see this year is a capable offense. Young pitching, being what it is, will be a problem...but I fully expect a better offense than last year. That shouldn't be too hard to do considering last year was beyond awful. A lineup with Cabrera, Hermida, Jacobs, Willingham, and Uggla could be pretty good. Those are guys who have shown they are patient and can get on-base, something that couldn't be said of Encarnacion, Gonzalez, Lowell, and Lo Duca a year ago.

Don't get me wrong......I hope Uggla can win second base so I don't have to watch that stiff Pokey Reese play.

starts the chant from the right-field seats: U-G-G-L-A, U-G-G-L-A comeon everyone join in

With a name like that, it wouldn't surprise me at all if he got a cult following.

Hard to start a chant when only 10 people will be out there.

Hard to start a chant when only 10 people will be out there.

 

now the question is will you be one of your so-called 10 people there....

Hard to start a chant when only 10 people will be out there.

 

now the question is will you be one of your so-called 10 people there....

 

When they play the Rockies, Reds or Pirates. I have no interest watching Josh Beckett throw a 2-hitter against the Marlins.

 

I want to see a win.

Does he have any speed? Could be a hybrid 2-hole guy.

 

Well he stole more bases last season that Castillo (15 vs 10) and as many as 24 in 2003 in A ball. What conclusions you can draw from that I can't say difinitively. I guess we'll have to see what transpires in March and how Girardi uses guys in potential steal situations.

 

:mischief2

 

Still, there has to be something wrong with him. Every stat report I've seen on him is quite impressive, and even coming from a system as loaded as the D'Backs, a guy like that usually shouldn't be left unprotected.

 

Uggla and Petit are the two players I'm most looking forward to in the spring.

Anibal Sanchez and Mike Jacobs. Those two are keystones to our future.

If Uggla hits over .250/.300/.350, and has a K/BB better then 4/1, it will be shocking. I don't mind the Marlins taking a chance on the guy because this organization has a deficiency in middle infielders, but thinking he will turn into even Lemke (Career .641 OPS) is wishful thinking. Uggla is going to get challenged big time by MLB level pitchers, and not have the luxury of pounding double aa pitching he is 3-5 years older then.

 

Lemke always hit for contact, took insane amounts of walks, and never struck out. He also played excellent defense. All of these things are not Uggla. That is just a lazy comparison made by some baseball writer like Kevin Baxter who doesn't research things before he says them. Uggla is going to be a light hitting, light power, light fielding player at this level. Feel free to root for the guy because we all love underdogs apparently, but you guys are arguing about a fringe bench player that, for me anyways, has a best case scenario of bouncing around the league for a half dozen years filling out 24th and 25th spots on non contending team benches. He does not have a high ceiling despite his year in double AA. The D-Backs aren't missing him at all. Just wait till he becomes the human K machine, and unlike Willingham who will walk and slam his way to a Nick Swisher type season despite massive Ks, Uggla won't provide any sort of offense and Pokey will predominantly play 2B based on his defense.

 

Anibal Sanchez and Mike Jacobs. Those two are keystones to our future.

 

 

For real. Those two, Petit, Bowyer, Gaby, Nolasco, Pinto. I want to see those new guys who project. You know one player no one has mentioned in this thread about wanting to see

 

HANLEY RAMIREZ

 

I really hope this is an oversight for some of you wanting to see UGGLA

Lou....does that mean Willingham is only gonna hit .230?

has a best case scenario of bouncing around the league for a half dozen years filling out 24th and 25th spots

 

 

Our new John Wehner!

 

:wub:

You know one player no one has mentioned in this thread about wanting to see

 

HANLEY RAMIREZ

 

I really hope this is an oversight for some of you wanting to see UGGLA

 

 

I can't speak for anyone here, but I am not the slightest bit excited by Hanley. The more I read about him, the less I like him and think he simply was the product of big market hype.

 

Hope I'm wrong, but he's hardly one of the one's I'm dying to see. I'd rather see guys who put up numbers in spite of the scouts (like Petit) instead of people who don't put up numbers despite what the scouts say.