Feeling the need for some speed? Carlos Gomez has you covered.

The season has officially started and all ready there are major leaguers making an impact on the base paths.  Each one of these players has all ready rung up at least a stolen base this season. The question is... Are any of these players available in your free agent pool and how does their statistical impact compare to your starting line-up, or at least your reserves?

Sudden Impact

No, I am not talking about the 1983 movie starring Clint Eastwood; however, I am talking about rookie players that are having an instant impact on the base paths and their team’s success.

Michael Bourn: How about two stolen bases on his 2008 debut. When it comes to stealing bases, Michael is the “Bourn” Supremacy. There is no doubt that he should be drafted in every 5 X 5 and rotisserie league across fantasy nation.

Carlos Gomez: It looks like this ultra-confident young player matched his ego with the first game of the season. After being announced as the starter in centerfield (replacing Torii Hunter) rewarded the Twins’ organization by going two for three at the dish with a single, double, a walk, and two stolen bases. How did Torii Hunter fair? Hunter went 0-4 at the dish. If you are looking for a sleeper/keeper, it is a safe bet to start with Gomez.

The Young and the Restless

Going through spring training, dealing with the media, and having to overcome the monster that is opening day may not be a daytime soap opera, but these young players are willing to go that extra mile to make sure they are noticed in their cameo performances of 2008.

Tony Gwynn Jr: He may not be the hitter his father is. He may not ever get power from his bat. But what you will get from little Gwynn is a desire to play, a heart that is shown in his fieldwork, and in the case of his opening debut, the plate presence of Dad. Gwynn went two for three, used his speed on the field and on the base paths (1 stolen base) and slapped in the go ahead run to help the Brew Crew walk away 1-0 for the season. He is taking advantage of Mike Cameron’s absence. He may not get all the starts, but he is definitely worth looking at for at least the month of April as well as NL-Only and Keeper League formats.

Delmon Young: You know he can swing a bat with power, can field the ball fairly well, and has the talent to be a force in the fantasy world for years to come. Oh…and we all know he can throw a temper-tantrum with the best of them; however, Delmon was extremely productive in his opening day debut, going 204, with a run and more importantly, a stolen base. Most prognosticators have him stealing 10-12 bases but I see the potential for 20/20 in his first season as a Twin.

James Loney: Known for his power and plate presence, James Loney stunned fantasy owners all over the country by ringing up a stolen base in his first game as the starting first baseman. There is no need to get to all excited by this fact; however, it leaves one to question whether or not Manager Joe Torre has more in the plans for this power-hitting young first baseman.

It’s Anybody’s Guess

Although Monty Hall had a tremendous career, the show “It’s Anybody’s Guess” did not last as long as his career did. The premise of the show was that each contestant knows the answer to the question, and flips a coin to predict whether each of five studio audience panelists will give the same answer. When it comes to these players, adding them to your roster is for the most part just that… a coin flip.

Kurt Suzuki: Here is an interesting player. As a catcher, to get any steals is a bonus and Suzuki did just that, stole a base against Boston. The great thing about Suzuki is that the A’s organization is committed to Kurt. He has a high ceiling and could develop into a top ten catcher over the next few seasons. Keeper?

Luis Castillo: he is definitely a coin flip. He has great plate presence and will typically yield a high batting average and stolen bases. Castillo had off-season surgery on his knees and could either get better results because he is no longer in pain or it could be a reversal of fortune and could end up digressing. Heads or Tails?

Mark Grudzielanek: 3-4 for at the dish, .750 batting average, and a stolen base. Who is this masked man? Unfortunately, he was also hit by a pitch in the hand by flame-throwing Detroit Tigers’ starting pitcher Justin Verlander. Grudzielanek may end up being a great middle-infielder or reserve player but it is not a certainty and therefore is a risky selection from the free agent pool.

The Usual Suspects

Kevin Spacey could never steal a base, at least not with that phony limp that he impersonated as “Verbal” in the 1995 underground movie “The Usual Suspects”. The list of players is among those that you drafted for that very reason and have delivered in the very first game.

Carl Crawford: He is a five-tool stud and has delivered to his fantasy owners, stealing a base in the first game of the season. There is no doubt that Carl will get his fair share of stolen bases and should see an offensive increase as the Tampa Bay Rays inch closer to “relevancy” in the league.

Brian Roberts: Who says that the Baltimore Orioles would not be competitive? Try telling that to Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis who pulled off a double steal in the first inning of their season opener. Roberts is synonymous with the term “stolen base”, additionally providing average and some pop at the plate. Brian did not disappoint his fantasy managers, notching his first stolen base of the season. There should be plenty more where that came from, as he will likely be counted on to get into runners position more often.

Julio Lugo: A major disappointment at the plate last year, Lugo plans to redeem himself, attempting to bring his major league back into the late .270s range. There is no doubt that he will produce enough runs, runs batted in, and steals to warrant a thought on draft day; however, be weary that he does not recover from his 2007 batting average. I am sure that he, more than anyone else, wants to lose the stigma assigned to him by Red Sox Nation as “Last Out Lugo”.

Nick Markakis: Many do not predict as many steals from Nick as I do. I believe that 20 stolen bases are completely within the cards and would be shocked if it were not true at the end of the season. That would make him a member of the 20/20 club. If the season opener is any indication of what the skipper wants to accomplish with his lineup, then I believe that I will be justified in the end for my expectations.