What's gotten in to Juan?

{Editor’s Note: All stats as of Tuesday, June 3, 2008, prior to last evening’s games}

Boston’s centerfield Jacoby Ellsbury (27) has overtaken Houston’s Michael Bourn (24) for the title of stolen base leader in the Majors. Many would say they had no doubts that this would be as they predicted, simply based on Ellsbury’s ability to get on base with a higher percentage (.385 on-base percentage) than Bourn (.276).

If you are in a mixed or AL-Only keeper league, it is time to start moving some older, veteran players on the decline and try and land this five-tool athlete. I realize that he has only hit four home runs to date, but you need to realize that he is sharing centerfield duties with Coco Crisp.

Regardless of his inability to demonstrate solid plate presence, Michael Bourn is still one of the most productive players when it comes to stolen bases. If your team can afford the dip in either batting average or on-base percentage, then he is a player that can help you in your rotisserie league.

Ichiro Suzuki continues to climb up the leader board (24) despite the poor offensive output of the Seattle Mariners. Seattle was considered among many circles to be playoff contenders, have fallen off the map and the only thing drawing any attention, fantasy-wise, on this team is Suzuki and his increase in stolen bases.

I laughed many people out of the draft room when I heard the name of Juan Pierre being selected. After all, he was listed as the fourth outfielder on a team that is littered with young talent. Pierre, now hitting an impressive .279, has stolen 21 bases, primarily in the last 30 days, has re-emerged as a fantasy option. He is likely available in most mixed league settings because of the fear of losing playing time, but it appears that Joe Torre has found what he was looking for and Juan Pierre is the answer… at least for now.

Another one-hit wonder keeps showing up in the top ten of the stolen base leader board. Willy Taveras has only five more at bats than Juan Pierre does and over 40 points lower in batting average. Taveras has swiped 20 bases so far this season. It appears that if you are desperate and like Bourn, you can afford a dip in your batting average, Taveras will likely be sitting on waivers in most mixed leagues.

Jose B. Reyes has finally found his bat and his wheels. Reyes has been exploding at the plate lately, jumping his batting average up to .283, strong-arming seven home runs, most of them coming in May, and increased his stolen base totals to 18. Reyes is considered one of the elite shortstops in fantasy baseball and is finally starting to play like it. With the re-emergence of David Wright and his own personal surge, Reyes is sure to increase his run totals as the season progresses.

Out of the two players, Michel Bourn and Carlos Gomez, that were early season stolen base stars, it appears that Gomez is more likely to have a bigger fantasy impact for your team. Gomez has maintained a .280 batting average, increasing his power and plate presence, even if his stolen base frequency has dropped. He has only stolen bases since April ended, but is sure to pick up as the Minnesota Twins creep closer to the division leaders, the Chicago White Sox. Many remember that Gomez came over in the Johan Santana trade and it appears that he was necessary, as he has plugged a vital hole in the defense and added both pop at the plate and speed on the base paths.

Part of the Tampa Bay Rays’ success story involves a young second baseman turned center fielder. B.J. Upton is a big part of the future of Tampa and it is evidenced in his statistical output. Currently batting .305 with an on-base percentage of .410, he leads all stolen base leaders at the plate. He has stolen 17 bases to date and continues to show that although he has lost something in power, he has not lost a step on the base paths.

Rounding out the top ten stolen base leaders is Orioles’ second baseman Brian Roberts. Lost in world of high output second baseman (Chase Utley, Ian Kinsler to name a few), Brian Roberts continues to push out statistics to help any team. With four home runs, three triples, and 13 doubles, and 16 stolen bases, it is clear that although he is stuck in the mire that is the Baltimore franchise, he is still a value both at the plate and especially on the base paths.