When it comes to drafting a second baseman in fantasy baseball, the first players that come to mind are Chase Utley and now Brandon Phillips. If you aren't able to get either of those guys, don't fret. There are a bunch of other players that could fill your 2B position and put up numbers pretty comparable to Utley and Phillips. One of those guys is the guy that plays the position for the Florida Marlins, Dan Uggla.

Uggla burst onto the fantasy baseball scene a couple years ago when he hit 27 homers, scored 105 times, and knocked in 90 runs while hitting .282. Those fortunate enough to snatch him up off the free agent wire ended up being very pleased with his efforts. Last year his numbers were pretty similar with the exception of his batting average. He hit 31 homeruns, scored 113 times and knocked in 88 runs. His batting average, however, slipped to .245. Thats a pretty significant drop-off from one season to the next. The reason for his BA plummeting almost 40 points was because he struck out over 40 more times in 2007 (167) than he did in 2006 (123). Fortunately he came through in all the other categories in a basic 5X5 style league. Last season Uggla finished atop the leader board in runs and home runs for second basemen. He also finished in the top top five in RBIs.

This season you should expect to get about the same out of Uggla. One thing that might effect his production this year is the fact that Miguel Cabrera was traded to the Detroit Tigers during the offseason. With Cabrera gone, Uggla becomes one of just two hitters on the team that has the ability to put up good power numbers. The other would be SS Hanley Ramirez. There is the possibility that Uggla could end up moving from 2B to 3B with the departure of Cabrera and the signing of INF Jose Castillo back in January. A move to 3B would drop Uggla's value as 3B is a deeper position than 2B, but that wouldn't effect anything for this season since he would still have 2B eligibility.

In the GSI mock draft that is currently taking place, I selected Uggla as my starting 2B late in the 8th round. A few of the other guys on my team will balance out the low batting average I'm expecting to get from him. His power numbers are the reason I drafted him. He'll add to every other category (minus the stolen base category, he only had 2 last season) and should end up putting together another solid season for those that draft him. Don't reach too earl though. The eighth or ninth rounds are about the right spot to take him if you're still looking to fill your 2B needs.