Roto Rush: Fowler Swipes 5 Bags

Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.

Some NL-Only owners last night got a nice little (understatement) boost in steals last night, assuming that's where Dexter Fowler is mostly owned. The fleet-footed 23 year-old rookie stole 5 bases in the first five innings against the Padres -- giving him a National League-best 9 on the season.

Unbelievably, as noted in this morning's Starting Five, Fowler didn't even set a team record and it hasn't even been a full year since a Rockies' player had 5 steals. That doesn't mean it's common, though. Only 17 players have done so since 1954.

Don't get caught up thinking Fowler's a one-trick pony, either. Though he's only started 12 games this season, he's hitting .302 with 2 home runs, 6 RBI and 11 runs scored. Last year, he hit .335 with 9 homers in 108 games in double-A. There's a reason this kid has been so highly touted, and it's because he's the real deal. He's the NL-version of Adam Jones, and you've seen the start he got off to in Baltimore. The more the season progresses, the more difficult it will be for Clint Hurdle to justify not playing Fowler everyday.

You're looking a guy capable of scoring 100 runs, stealing 40+ bases, easily hitting over .300 and adding in some power. In Colorado, he has enough power to get into the 20-25 home run range. He's a future fantasy star, and -- if Monday night was a precursor -- we can now say that future is very near.

If nothing else, his .393 on-base percentage provides him with ample stolen base opportunities. That's something you can use in all fantasy leagues. If you want speed, go get him now. He's available in about 75 percent of fantasy leagues across the internet.

Bits From the Box Scores:
- Yet another leadoff home run from Alfonso Soriano after a few brutal games from the 3-hole over the weekend. It's about time everyone stops pining for his move down in the lineup. He is what he is. Enjoy the home runs and stop complaining about RBI.

- Chris Snyder hit a prodigious home run, meaning he could start to actually help your team from a power perspective. Considering the dreadful batting average (currently .118) it better be a two-catcher league or NL-Only, though.

- Ryan Franklin is 6-6 on save opportunities, has 9 strikeouts in 9 innings, and hasn't allowed an earned run. That sounds like the resume of one of the elite-echelon closers. Also, considering the Cardinals never freaking lose (insert my Cubs fan bitterness), he'll have plenty of chances as well.

- I tried to spout off about Edwin Encarnacion all offseason and then early in the season said to be patient. I'm not totally giving up, because it is still April (only a few more days to say that, huh?), but my patience is wearing thin. He's now hitting only .127 and he's getting worse. After going 0-4 Monday night he's 1 for his last 27. You start to worry about his pysche at this point. I'd give him another week or so to show some real signs, and after that it's probably best to cut your losses and move on .

- Miguel Tejada is still hitting .325, but he has zero home runs and 4 RBI. Once that average starts going down -- and it will -- he'll have no value. It's time to move him now, if you can. Good luck.

- I'm am fully, 100 percent, on board with Johnny Cueto. It's a real shame he can't get any run support, as he now sports a 2.19 ERA in four starts. In the last two, he's thrown 14 innings, allowed 1 run, walked 1 man, and struck out 8. Get him now if you can, because he won't be hanging around your waiver wire for long.

- Prepare for the awakening of Jimmy Rollins. Going 3-5 with 2 doubles is generally all it takes for a superstar to get back on track. If you were able to trade for him recently -- as I was fortunate enough to do just two days ago -- congratulations.

- Elijah Dukes hit his 3rd home run of the season, and his average is hanging strong at .304. It would appear he has staying power while the team figures out what to do with Lastings Millege.

- Omir Santos recently took over backup catching duties for the Mets and promptly answered with a grand slam Monday night, but let's not overreact. Brian Schneider is coming off the disabled list soon. When he does, Santos is relegated to playing probably no more than once a week. Even if he played more, his minor league track record (.258 average, 32 home runs in 2,216 at-bats) suggests there isn't much upside.

- Everyone having fun with Emilio Bonifacio? Remember, the first week is no more important than the third week of June. This is why you should be patient. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

- On the other hand, Nyjer Morgan is for real. He's still hitting .338 -- after going 2-4 with 3 runs last night -- and would lead the NL in steals had Fowler just not gone nuts Monday night.

- After going 1-4 with two strikeouts, J.J. Hardy is still hitting only .179. He did shows signs of life late last week and he has 3 home runs this season. We have seen his penchant for streaky play the past two seasons, so it's safe to stick with him. He's liable to go on a tear in the next few weeks. Be patient.

- Ian Stewart is soon-to-be (if he isn't already) eligible at 2B, 3B and OF in all fantasy leagues. He's been hitting the ball well so far this year, and it's going to be hard for the Rockies to keep him out of the lineup. With Fowler, the two form the promising core to the offensive future in Colorado.

- Cliff Lee put together a very promising start. He held down the mighty Red Sox through 8 scoreless innings. He struck out 5 and walked no one. Unfortunately for his owners, who have dealt with enough disappointment thus far, Kerry Wood blew the save in the ninth. Edit: The game was scoreless and Wood took the loss.

- Frank Francisco is just unhittable right now. He have 5 saves, the WHIP is below 1.00, and his ERA is spotless. He's one of the best closing options in baseball right now. Believe it.

- Is Justin Verlander really back, or do the Yankees just suck? That was a dominant outing (7 shutout innings, 9 K, 0 BB) that we would have expected from Verlander two years ago. It's a great sign, because obviously the Yankees have a very strong offense.

- In the preseason I hyped both B.J. Upton and Delmon Young both quite strongly. Do not give up on Upton. Buy low on him, as he's just going through some adjustment issues in his return from injury. In Young, however, I've lost pretty much all faith. He's not playing everyday and he hasn't shown enough glimpses of power. I'm not counting on the possibility he'll eventually blossom, because he's only 23. For this year, though, I believe I'm already waving the white flag. I was wrong on him for 2009.

- Don't look now, but Barry Zito is showing signs of not being an embarrassment. In his past two outings, Zito has gone 13 1/3 innings, allowing 11 hits, 3 earned runs and 3 walks. He's struck out 7 in the same span. Those are respectable numbers, though he hasn't been fortunate enough to accrue a win. I'm still not buying, but if you believe he can return to his Oakland form, more power to you.

The Afflicted: Hanley Ramirez left Monday's game against the Mets after getting hit in the wrist with a pitch. X-Rays were negative, so that's a huge relief to those fantasy leaguers who drated him number one overall. He's questionable for Tuesday. Nate McLouth (oblique) sat Monday and is probably going to miss the entire series against the Brewers. Brad Hawpe was nailed by a pitch in the neck Monday. Details are sketchy, but he could return soon. For now, though, reserve him until more definitive news comes through the wire. Carlos Delgado missed Monday's game with a tweaked hip, but he's only day-to-day and doesn't expect a DL-stint. Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez will still be sitting out for the snake-bitten Cubs, but -- according to manager Lou Piniella -- Milton Bradley may play Tuesday night. I'd still sit on him in daily leagues, because this seems like it's going to drag out for a while.

Lineup Lock Time: It wasn't previously scheduled, but a rainout means the White Sox and Mariners will begin an old-school double-dip at 5:05 PM ET. Have it ready by the time you leave work.