Fantasy Baseball: X Factor

In fantasy baseball, over the course of a season players will emerge from seemingly oblivion to produce. So it is essential for anyone wishing to stay competitive in their respective leagues to continuously be on the look out for players just below the radar, waiting to burst onto the scene.

Ian Stewart (2B, 3B, OF) 58% owned in Yahoo! leagues
The utility infielder opened more than a few hardcore fantasy fans' eyes nearing the end of last season, finishing with 10 HRs and 41 RBIs in only 81 games. With Stewart now entering the everyday lineup, now is the time to pick up the middle infield option. With 2B being a traditionally shallow talent pool, at least fantasy wise, Ian Stewart could potentially finish amongst the top middle infielders with his home run and RBI numbers at his current clip. The young infielder is currently on pace for about 20 HRs and 80 RBIs this season, near elite power and production numbers for a second basemen.

Freddy Sanchez (2B) 41% owned in Yahoo! leagues
Sanchez will not hit .359 for the entire season. But as evidenced by his career average of .302, the 2006 NL batting champ (.344) is sent to bounce back from his dismal 2008 season during which he batted only .271, over 30 points below his career average. While Sanchez is primarily a second basemen, giving him no roster flexibility in the fantasy world, a second basemen who'll give you a virtually guaraunteed .300 average, roughly 80 RBI and 80 RBI, is extremely valuable over the long fantasy season. Look for Sanchez to bounce back and produce 2007 esque numbers (.304, 11 HRs, 81 RBIs, 77 R). However, be warned potential buyers, as the second basemen is completely devoid of speed, 1 SB through 18 games, and is not a tremendous source of HRs.

Pedro Feliz (3B) 9% owned in Yahoo! leagues
Pedro Feliz is no Mike Schmidt, but he is hitting .322 through 18 games in a loaded Philadelphia lineup. He should continue to get good pitches to hit, and if you could use a 3rd baseman with the ability to give you 20 HRs and 80 RBIs when healthy Feliz is your man. One could do far worse at the hot corner in deep leagues, especially if you own/ or are looking to acquire Bill Hall, Joe Crede, Adrian Beltre, or Edwin Encarnacion.

Other Fantasy Tips
-Pitch Wandy Rodriguez (SP HOU) only @ home. The Sasha Vujacic of MLB, he morphs from a mediocre starting pitcher into an elite fantasy starter at Houston (2009 so far: .95 ERA @ home, 2008: 2.99 ERA @ home, 2007: 2.94 ERA @ home) .
-Don't chase saves. Saves can be found nearly anywhere. No need to overpay for an elite level closer, in fact there are always closers that seem to come out of nowhere to rack up saves, i.e. Jeremy Accardo in '07 after incumbent B.J. Ryan went out for surgery.
-Ian Kinsler will be a top 5 player this year, barring injury. I would trade just about anyone, except for Albert Pujols, to grab the 2nd basemen who gives his fantasy team owner the advantage at 2B every week.
-Trade David Ortiz, Fausto Carmona, and Francisco Liriano for anything you can get at this point. Maybe an owner will pay for their former success and big names. This season? Ortiz is an over rated, overweight Chris Davis while Carmona and Liriano are starting to look like fellow burnout victims Dontrelle Willis and Mark Prior.