BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) -- Make no mistake about it, the Florida Marlins should not be confused with the Kansas City Royals. Sure, both teams are terrible, but at least the Marlins have some promising fantasy performers.

 

The Marlins' pitchers have had problems pitching, but their hitters have not had as much trouble hitting. Some of their minimum wage-making youngsters have fared well at the plate. Here is a look at some of their promising hitters and what they have done early on:

 

Dan Uggla: Uggla has not made his fantasy owners say "ugh" about his early-season performance. He has shown a little pop by hitting three homers during the first three weeks of play. That is more homers than top-level second basemen Robinson Cano, Jeff Kent and Jorge Cantu have hit. Uggla could be a 15-homer, 65-RBI producer at the end of the season.

 

Hanley Ramirez: This kid has that gangly, all arms frame that Alex Rodriguez had when he first started banging homers in his teens. Can Hanley handle the bat like A-Rod? Dunno. But he sure looks pretty sure of himself in the batter's box. He is hitting a cool .333 with a pair of dingers, three steals and 16 runs from atop of Florida's lineup.

 

Josh Willingham: Willingham was supposed to be Florida's starting catcher, but suddenly as the season began, Miguel Olivo became the every day catcher, and Willingham quickly became an outfielder. This was nice for fantasy owners as Willingham already qualified at catcher in many leagues. He has been hitting third primarily and has hit like a third-place hitter, compiling three homers, 14 RBI and a .288 average. Pretty good numbers for someone you can use at catcher.

 

Mike Jacobs: Do not let the .208 batting average fool you. Jacobs has mad bat skills. He is showing power (three HR), RBI ability (11), a little speed (two SB) and a good eye (nine walks in 15 contests). The kid has awesome power and a sweet stroke, and in time those will turn into consistent homers and RBI. The fantasy baseball world has some good young first basemen to enjoy this year and for years to come with Jacobs, San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez and Milwaukee's Prince Fielder around.

 

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=163731&hubname=mlb

nice research.... has Willingham even hit 3rd once this year?

nice research.... has Willingham even hit 3rd once this year?

 

don't think so. and how does jacobs's 2 steals, which were a fluke, count as part of his "mad bat skills?" did a 15yr old write this? Still, it's cool to see some props for our team, fantasy props or not.

ya what people always fail to grasp is that it's only been 3 weeks in NOTHING of value can be learned from 3 weeks. I mean HanRam will not hit over .300 for the year if any player had a 3 week run where he's hitting .333 no one would give it a second look

ya what people always fail to grasp is that it's only been 3 weeks in NOTHING of value can be learned from 3 weeks. I mean HanRam will not hit over .300 for the year if any player had a 3 week run where he's hitting .333 no one would give it a second look

 

Fantasyleaguers drafted a month ago and are anxious to make moves