Key

Acquire - Add player (in most circumstances)
Watch - Track player; consider adding if trend continues
Pass - Do not add player (in most circumstances)

Catchers

None

First Basemen

Casey Kotchman, Los Angeles Angels

Kotchman posted solid numbers in his first full season of work for the Halos in 2007, generating a .296-11-68 clip while demonstrating great discipline at the plate with 53 walks and just 43 strikeouts. His lack of long balls at a position ripe with power hitters saw him overlooked in shallower leagues, but he's cracked four dingers in just 14 games this season. When you add to that a .352 average and 10 RBI, you have a player worthy of ownership in deeper mixed leagues with shallow potential.

Shallow mixed: Watch
Deep mixed: Acquire
AL-only: Acquire

Conor Jackson, Arizona Diamondbacks

The 25-year-old has been dinged up this season, getting hit by pitches three times in the early going, including being struck on the hand April 9. He was given the day off Sunday to heal and has gone 4-for-8 with a pair of home runs and six RBI in the two games since. He continues to bat cleanup in an improved D-Backs lineup and has driven in 13 runs in just 36 at-bats this year. Like Kotchman, he's someone who should be scooped up immediately in deep leagues and is worthy of consideration in shallow formats as well.

Shallow mixed: Watch
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire

Second Basemen

Maicer Izturis, Los Angeles Angels

With regular second baseman Howie Kendrick (hamstring) out of action until at least this weekend, Izturis is expected to see the majority of the at-bats in his stead. Unfortunately, the slap-hitting infielder's managed just five knocks in 39 at-bats (.128) this season. He's a better hitter than that, but he's living on borrowed time until Kendrick comes back and Izturis returns to splitting time at shortstop with infielder Erick Aybar. Ignore Izturis in all but AL-only leagues.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
AL-only: Acquire

Third Basemen

Kevin Kouzmanoff, San Diego Padres

After opening the year hitting third, Kouzmanoff's now hit cleanup in nine straight games (10 overall). The 26-year-old's responded by notching 15 hits in 40 at-bats with a home run and seven RBI. The run production may not be stellar for a No. 4 hitter, but that has more to do with the players in front of him not reaching base as he's batting .353 with runners in scoring position. He turned fantasy heads after the All-Star break last season when he posted a .317-11-37 line and has now arrived at "must own" status batting in the heart of San Diego's order.

Shallow mixed: Acquire
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire

Shortstops

Jed Lowrie, Boston Red Sox

One of Boston's top prospects, Lowrie made quite an impression during his major league debut Tuesday. He hit eighth and drove in the team's first three runs, becoming the first Red Sox player to tally three RBI in his debut in more than 60 years. He played third base in his first game as another replacement for the injured Mike Lowell (thumb), but he's primarily a shortstop and could be an option if Julio Lugo struggles this year. A .291 career hitter in the minors entering this season, he might be a decent short-term option in AL-only leagues.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
AL-only: Watch

Outfielders

Milton Bradley, Texas Rangers

The veteran's shaken off a 3-for-17 start to register 12 hits in his past 27 at-bats, raising his average from .176 to .341 while also hitting safely in 10 consecutive games. Unfortunately, he doesn't have any home runs this season to go along with his paltry run (four) and RBI (four) totals. Still, Bradley's always been a good hitter and is capable of providing a boost to your lineup if you're in need. Just don't bank on him being around for the long haul as the temperamental outfielder's managed more than 400 at-bats just once in his career.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
AL-only: Acquire

David DeJesus, Kansas City Royals

DeJesus finally returned to the lineup Monday after being sidelined with an ankle injury since Opening Day. The veteran outfielder's gone 3-for-7 with a pair of ribbies through his first two games back and is once again hitting atop the order. He managed 86 runs in that spot a season ago. The improvement of designated hitter Billy Butler and third baseman Alex Gordon could help him be even more productive this year. He's not much for speed or power but could have value in deep leagues.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
AL-only: Acquire

Designated Hitters

Mike Sweeney, Oakland A's

A career .299 hitter, Sweeney's been seeing consistent at-bats this season and has responded by batting .298 with seven runs scored and three RBI. He's pounded out four multi-hit games in his last five contests and looks to be getting back into a groove after injuries spoiled his last two seasons. The A's have had good success plugging veterans into their designated hitter spot in recent years, and Sweeney could be another success story. However, at this point he only holds value in AL-only setups.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
AL-only: Acquire

Starting Pitchers

Scott Olsen, Florida Marlins

A quality starter in 2006, Olsen suffered a meltdown last season both on and off the field. He ended the year 10-15 with a 5.81 ERA and 1.76 WHIP. Despite his struggles, he was pegged as Florida's No. 1 starter this season and has pitched like one. He held the Braves scoreless for seven innings in his last start and is now 2-0 with a 3.05 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. Don't expect his ratios to stay that low, but if he can approach his '06 numbers - 12 wins, 4.04 ERA, 166 K's in 180 2/3 innings - he should have some value in deeper mixed leagues.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire

Randy Wolf, San Diego Padres

The early returns on Wolf in PETCO Park have been outstanding, as the veteran hurler has surrendered just one run in 13 innings of work while fanning 14 in his first two starts at home. In his April 15 start, he carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning. For the year, he's 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA and 18 Ks in 19 innings. He's always been a good source of strikeouts when healthy and now has baseball's top pitcher's park to help keep his ERA and WHIP down. San Diego's offense could cost him a few wins, but he's still worth owning in all leagues.

Shallow mixed: Acquire
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire

Greg Smith, Oakland A's

Another pitcher acquired in the swap with the D-Backs for starter Dan Haren, Smith's looked good in his first two major league starts. After settling for a no-decision in his debut, he held the White Sox to just one run over seven innings in his next start to earn his first win. He's recorded a respectable nine strikeouts in 13 innings pitched while allowing 14 base runners. It's too early to make a move on him in mixed leagues, but those in AL-only setups should react immediately.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
AL-only: Acquire

Braden Looper, St. Louis Cardinals

With three wins in his first three starts, Looper's become fantasy relevant for the time being. His longevity as a fantasy factor is debatable, though, as he's yet to work into the seventh inning and has never been known for his strikeout ability (87 Ks in 175 innings in 2007). Nonetheless, if you're in the market for a quick lift, you can roll the dice on him and see how long he can keep piling up the wins.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire

Mike Pelfrey, New York Mets

Pelfrey stymied the Nationals in his last outing, limiting them to five hits and no runs in seven innings. He picked up the win to raise his record to 2-0 in as many starts. He figures to remain in the rotation at least until starters Pedro Martinez (hamstring) and Orlando Hernandez (foot) return. However, he struggled badly with the Mets last season, and a larger sample size is needed before we're ready to sign off on the former first-round pick as anything more than NL-only fodder.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
NL-only: Acquire

Armando Galarraga, Detroit Tigers

Slated to replace starter Dontrelle Willis (knee) in the Tigers rotation, Galarraga's spent seven seasons in the minor leagues, but had only four starts at the Triple-A level entering this season. He pitched 8 2/3 innings for the Rangers last year, fashioning a 6.23 ERA and 1.73 WHIP. He's largely an unknown commodity at the major league level and would only be worth a look if you're desperate in AL-only leagues.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
AL-only: Watch

Matt Albers, Baltimore Orioles

After looking impressive in 6 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, Albers made his first start of the season Monday and allowed just one run in five innings to run his record to 2-0. His control's been excellent this season - one walk in 11 1/3 innings pitched - but keep in mind he walked 50 last year against just 71 strikeouts. Wait for the 25-year-old to dazzle a few more times before considering him in mixed formats.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
AL-only: Acquire

Relief Pitchers

Rafael Betancourt, Cleveland Indians

With closer Joe Borowski (triceps) on the disabled list, the team is set to turn to Betancourt to close games in the interim. Nearly unhittable for the Tribe a season ago (1.47 ERA, 0.76 WHIP), he's been knocked around thus far in 2008 with 11 hits allowed in just seven innings of work. Despite his struggles, the fact he should be seeing save opportunities makes him someone to add in all league types.

Shallow mixed: Acquire
Deep mixed: Acquire
AL-only: Acquire

Manny Acosta, Atlanta Braves

With reliever Peter Moylan (elbow) joining closer Rafael Soriano (elbow) on the disabled list, the closer's job now passes to Acosta. The 26-year-old has less than 30 innings of major league experience under his belt and has been hit hard in limited opportunities this season. However, like Betancourt, his ability to earn saves is reason enough to pluck him off of waivers.

Shallow mixed: Acquire
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire

Masahide Kobayashi, Cleveland Indians

A former closer in Japan and one of just two Indians relievers (Craig Breslow) with an ERA of less than 4.82, Kobayashi and his 2.08 ERA could be next in line for saves if Betancourt struggles or the team decides he's more valuable in his more familiar setup role. He hasn't been dominant this year (six hits allowed in 4 1/3 innings), but he does know what it takes to finish games, as his 227 career saves with the Chiba Lotte Marines would attest.

Shallow mixed: Watch
Deep mixed: Watch
AL-only: Acquire