Carlos Gomez is backing up his swagger with production on the basepaths.

As we look at the impact players on the fantasy horizon for stolen bases, we need to give each player their own introduction song. Based on their base path performances, I am making my suggestions for several players having a statistical impact in the stolen base category.

Burning Down the House, Talking Heads

OF Michael Bourn HOU ~ Bourn is definitely lacing up his shoes tight every game, and burning down the house of the Astros. In only 28 at bats, Michael has amassed 6 stolen bases with an on base percentage of .344. You should not expect power from this young center fielder but you can expect the stolen bases and runs accumulate as he hits behind hard-hitting Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee. This is the second week in a row that Bourn has made the article; maybe it is time to pick him up off of your waiver wire?

Tom Sawyer, Rush

OF Carlos Gomez, MIN ~ “A modern day warrior, mean, mean stride…mean, mean pride”. This young player came into spring training with the swagger of a veteran. Although his bat is not quite the bat of Torii Hunter when it comes to power, batting .333 after his first week Carlos’ five stolen bases, one less than Michael Bourn, shows that he came to battle prepared and ready to demonstrate why he thinks he is so good. Here is another player getting back-to-back mentions in my article. Is he available on your free agent market?

Mr. Roboto, Styx

OF Kosuke Fokudome, CHC ~ “You're wondering who I am-machine or mannequin
With parts made in Japan, I am the modren man.” Kosuke appears to be more machine than man at this point. He has stepped up his game in the past week, adding two stolen bases and making many fantasy managers glad they “jumped early” to put him on their rosters. There is no doubt that this hitting machine from Japan will be highly regarded for his bat but do not be surprised if his stolen bases grow with all other statistics as Chicago develops an identity as a team.

The Stroke, Billy Squier

OF Chris B. Young, ARI ~ “Now everybody, have you heard? If you are in the game, then the stroke’s the word…” There is no doubt that there are high expectations for this second year center fielder from Arizona, but with a nice five-year contract signed, sealed, and delivered, there is no doubt that this player has it. Take his two stolen bases this week and adding, count them, four homeruns all read this season. If there was any doubt that he would produce for you, those questions should be gone.

Eye of the Tiger, Survivor

OF Nate McLouth, PIT ~ “Risin’ up, back on the street, did the time, took my chances. Went the distance…” There is no doubt after three seasons of promotions and demotions to the big leagues, that Nate McLouth is ready to show Pirate Nation what he is capable of. Batting .441 through seven games, Nate has all ready rung-up two stolen bases and is doing everything to make sure that he plays alongside Xavier Nady and the struggling Jason Bay all season. Right now he is one of the hottest commodities on the free agent fantasy market right now.

Break My Stride, Matthew Wilder

OF Cory C. Hart, MIL ~ “Ain’t nothing gonna break my stride. Nobody’s gonna slow me down, oh-no, I got to keep on moving…” Everyone expected Cory Hart to put up the power numbers he had last season, besting each category along the way. There are not many prognosticators who predicted that he would jump his number of steal as dramatically as he is bound to do. All ready Corey has snagged three bases, with a .385 on base percentage, and shows no signs of stopping. Once Mike Cameron gets in the line-up, you will have Hart, Ryan Braun, Rickie Weeks, and Mike Cameron on the move. Add utility player Tony Gwynn, Jr., and you have the making of an extremely fast line-up.

Living on a Prayer, Bon Jovi

3B – Marco Scutaro, TOR ~ That is exactly what Marco is doing right now. With a meager .177 batting average and only a matter of time before Scott Rolens becomes healthy enough to play, Marco Scutaro is on borrowed time. He has stolen three bases and even with a .177 batting average, has a .364 on base percentage, giving others an opportunity to push him across the plate five times in 17 at bats. Even so, Marco should continue to pray to the injury gods that Rolens needs more time. Scutaro is an interesting pick-up because he does have a high run potential and looks to get the at bats as long as Scott Rolens remains on the D/L.

T.N.T., AC/DC

1B/OF Lance Berkman, HOU ~ “I'm dynamite… And I'll win that fight… I'm a power load… Watch me explode” How about Lance Berkman electrifying fans with his powerful bat (two homeruns, 3 doubles) as well as exploding on the base paths with two stolen bases? To put it into perspective, he has as many stolen bases so far as Rickie Weeks, Jimmy Rollins, Joey Gathright, Felix Pie, and Howie Kendrick. He has definitely been dynamite to start this season!

Speed, Billy Idol

3B Chone Figgins, LAA ~ “Give me what I need, I said  ‘speed, speed’” There is no doubt that Chone Figgins is gifted with speed. He has all ready stolen three bases this season and shows no signs of stopping. The question has always been his health. With the addition of the lack of power, he definitely ranks just outside of the top third baseman in the league, but when it comes to 5 X 5 leagues, discounting injury, he is always a safe bet.

Life in the Fast Lane, Eagles

SS Jimmy Rollins, PHI ~ “Life in the fast lane, everything, all the time.”  When one considers Jimmy Rollins on draft day, it is easy to see why he goes early and often. He has been gifted with speed (runs, stolen bases), power (homeruns, runs batted in), a keen eye (batting average, on base percentage), and leadership (2007 N.L. MVP). With two stolen bases, six runs, 2 homeruns, five runs batted in, and a .300 batting average, getting Rollins at a position that has little depth will guarantee your team is living life in the fast lane.

Movin’ on Up, Theme Song from The Jeffersons

OF David Murphy, TEX ~ I realize this one is a stretch but there is no better song to describe the type of numbers that this ex-Red Sox Farm System candidate is doing in a Texas Uniform. Through Sunday, David Murphy has amassed, on top of two stolen bases, five runs, one homerun, three runs batted in, .409 batting average, and an on base percentage of .458 all in 22 plate appearances. What can I say? I think that the Murphy is one of the reasons that Jarrod Saltalamacchia ended up going back to the minors. How can you send a kid down to the minors with this much talent? Especially on a team that is trying to redefine who they are with younger talent.