MIAMI -- When the Marlins traded three-time All-Star Luis Castillo to the Twins in the offseason, few considered the club would fill in with another All-Star caliber performer.

Then again, not many knew much about Dan Uggla.

 

One of the best unsung stories in the game, the rookie is making a strong argument for being in the 2006 All-Star Game this July in Pittsburgh.

 

Based on numbers alone, no second baseman in the National League is doing better at the plate. Heading into Saturday night, Uggla is fourth among all NL second basemen in batting average (.306), and he's posting big power numbers: 12 home runs and 40 RBIs.

 

Because of low attendance in South Florida, Uggla doesn't rank in the top five among second basemen when it comes to voting for the All-Stars, however. Balloting concludes at Dolphin Stadium on Sunday. But fans can still vote after that date at MLB.com and www.floridamarlins.com.

 

A year ago, Uggla was playing for Double-A Tennessee in the Diamondbacks system, where he batted .297 with 21 home runs and 87 RBIs.

 

The Marlins, however, really took notice of the 26-year-old when he was competing in the 2005 Arizona Fall League. Playing for Peoria, Uggla batted .304, adding seven homers and 22 RBIs in 29 games.

 

"I would have thought it would have been what I did in Double-A," Uggla said of what sold the Marlins. "But they got to see me a lot in the Fall League. I guess if it wasn't for the Fall League, I wouldn't be here right now."

 

Uggla became available to the Marlins in the Rule 5 Draft because Arizona didn't protect him on its 40-man roster.

 

Looking back, Uggla wasn't clear what his status with the Diamondbacks would be because they waffled on whether to send him to the Fall League. And when they said he could go, they told him he wouldn't be on a team with many Arizona prospects.

 

"The D-Backs, I figured if they sent me to the Fall League, they'd want to put me on the roster if I did well," Uggla said.

 

That didn't happen.

 

Jim Fleming, the Marlins vice president of player development and scouting, locked in on Uggla in the AFL.

 

"He played well in the Fall League," Fleming said. "He had a good bat, and was a good-looking kid. Defensively, he needed some work, but you felt comfortable when you had Perry Hill [one of the best infield coaches] sitting in here. He played hard.

 

"I'd like to tell you we thought that," Fleming said, regarding Uggla posting All-Star worthy numbers. "But he fit in with us. He's a good addition."

 

Willingham update: Josh Willingham is on pace to be activated off the disabled list either Thursday in Baltimore or Friday against the New York Yankees.

 

Nursing a sprained left hand that landed him on the DL on June 14, Willingham is eligible for activation on Thursday.

 

The power-hitting left fielder took some swings on Saturday, doing some work off the tee and swatting some flipped tosses.

 

Willingham said he felt fine. Depending on how he is doing Sunday, he could take live batting practice.

 

Manager Joe Girardi said it is possible Willingham will go on a rehab assignment early next week before a decision is made to activate him.

 

"I don't think it is out of the question that he can go on a rehab assignment next week," Girardi said.

 

Impressive young guns: Reliever Matt Herges has been around the league long enough to recognize excellent talent. When the veteran sees the three rookies in the Marlins' rotation, he envisions three young arms that could dominate for years.

 

Josh Johnson (5-4, 2.05 ERA), Scott Olsen (6-3, 4.70 ERA) and Ricky Nolasco (5-3, 3.06 ERA) were all in Double-A a year ago. Now, they are raising eyebrows with their performances.

 

"What I see, this is like the [old] Braves," Herges said. "This is like [Tom] Glavine, [Greg] Maddux, [John] Smoltz, [steve] Avery-type stuff. The type of rotation that should be here eight to 10 years to come, and just dominate, to keep the Marlins at the top of the Eastern Division, like the Braves did. That's exactly what I see.

 

"I don't want to say any of these guys are as good as a Glavine or a Smoltz or a Maddux. It's totally unfair. You're talking about Hall of Famers. But I think when they first came up with the Braves in the early 90s, that's what you're looking at in J.J., Nolasco and Olsen. And we're not even talking about Dontrelle [Willis] yet, and he's our ace."

 

Sellers or buyers? By winning 16 of their last 22, the Marlins went from 20 games under to 10 under .500. While, obviously, it is too early to scoreboard watch, should the Marlins get to .500 before the All-Star break, would management think of becoming "buyers" on the trade market?

 

Heading into Saturday, the Marlins were seven games out in the loss column in the Wild Card race.

 

Girardi says by getting to 10 under, the team reached a benchmark. But the first-year manager isn't jumping ahead.

 

"I still think we're a ways from having a chance," Girardi said. "We have ground to make up."

 

Many assume the Marlins would trade away veterans if they are out of it by the July 31, trade deadline. But in years past, if the team had a shot to compete, management has looked to add.

 

Coming up: The Marlins wrap up their Interleague series with the Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon. In a stellar pitching matchup, Johnson hooks up with Roy Halladay (8-1, 2.75 ERA).

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Uggla should be starting at 2b in the allstar game... Too bad it wont happen though but I think he'll get voted in by players and coaches.

I hate to say it since Castillo was my favorite Marlin but Uggla > Luis....at least so far this year.

Uggla deserves a spot on the team in Pittsburgh, but knowing his under the radar status, he most likely wont.

 

Utley will be voted the starter, and Phil Garner will choose his guy Craig Biggio as the backup 2nd Baseman