Dan Uggla, a second baseman known for his power-hitting abilities, began his Major League Baseball career with the Florida Marlins. Drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001, Uggla spent several years in the minor leagues before being selected by the Marlins in the Rule 5 Draft in December 2005. This move proved to be a turning point in his career, as he quickly established himself as a valuable player for the Marlins.
In his rookie season in 2006, Uggla made an immediate impact, hitting 27 home runs and driving in 90 runs. His performance earned him a spot on the National League All-Star team, and he finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting. Uggla's ability to hit for power was a defining characteristic of his game, and he consistently ranked among the top home run hitters for second basemen during his time with the Marlins.
Uggla continued to be a key player for the Marlins over the next few seasons. He hit over 30 home runs in both 2007 and 2008, and his offensive production remained strong. In 2008, he was again selected as an All-Star, although his performance in the All-Star Game was marred by three errors, a record for the event. Despite this, Uggla's regular-season performance remained solid, and he continued to be a reliable power hitter for the Marlins.
In 2010, Uggla achieved a career milestone by hitting his 100th home run faster than any other second baseman in MLB history at that time. He finished the season with a career-high .287 batting average and 33 home runs, earning his third All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger Award. However, following the 2010 season, Uggla was traded to the Atlanta Braves.
Uggla's tenure with the Braves began with a slow start in 2011, but he soon found his rhythm and embarked on a 33-game hitting streak, the longest in the majors that year. He finished the season with 36 home runs, setting a new record for the most home runs in a single season by a Braves second baseman. Despite his power-hitting prowess, Uggla's batting average and defensive performance began to decline in subsequent seasons.
The 2012 and 2013 seasons saw Uggla's batting average dip below .200, and his strikeout rate increased. Despite these struggles, he continued to hit home runs, reaching the 20-home run mark in both seasons. However, his declining performance led to reduced playing time, and in 2014, the Braves released him.
Uggla briefly joined the San Francisco Giants in 2014 but was released after a short stint. He signed with the Washington Nationals in 2015, where he played his final MLB season. One of the highlights of his time with the Nationals was a dramatic comeback victory against the Braves, where Uggla hit a three-run homer to help secure the win.
After the 2015 season, Uggla did not return to the majors, effectively ending his professional baseball career.
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