One of the newer frontiers in baseball analysis is PITCHf/x, the system installed in every major league ballpark that collects data on every pitched ball. Much like more traditional skill measurements such as walk and strikeout rates and home run-to-fly-ball ratio, the data on a pitcher's velocity and movement can help validate or invalidate his ERA and WHIP.

Carlos Beltran leads the NL in fantasy value produced per healthy knee. Is he back among the NL elite? If so, will he stay there?

2011 was quite a season for Justin Verlander (RHP, DET) - Cy Young award, Most Valuable Player, found the cure for cancer. OK, the last part didn’t happen, but after a year like that, what could he possibly do for an encore?

When Tim Lincecum (RHP, SF) started the 2012 season by surrendering 16 ER in his first 13.2 IP, everyone chalked it up to small sample size. And since then, he has had some better outings. But after seven GS, the numbers have not yet recovered.

For the past three seasons, Robinson Cano (2B, NYY) has been one of the steadiest producers in baseball. His owners pay a premium for this consistency so Cano's slow start in 2012 has led to some understandable frustration. Is there something more happening here than just an early season slump?

In his prime, Juan Pierre (OF, PHI) used exceptional contact skills and blazing speed to wreck havoc on opposing pitchers. Now in his mid-30s and with his fifth team in eight years, Pierre is still deploying exceptional contact skills and good speed to disrupt opposing pitchers.

Jose Bautista’s (OF, TOR) “black swan” moment began in September, 2009. From the beginning of that month to the end of last year, he hit 107 home runs. Fast forward to 2012, and it looks like Bautista’s plumage is beginning to fade.

Jose Reyes' (SS, MIA) first month-plus in South Florida hasn't been overly enjoyable. At right around .500, the team is playing worse than expected, and Reyes has yet to provide the spark a the top of their lineup.

Blessed with exceptional ability and all five tools, Adam Jones (OF, BAL) has always had the ingredients for stardom. Yet through four MLB seasons, Jones has posted strong if unspectacular numbers leaving many evaluators speculating if there was another level he could reach as a player. So far in 2012, Jones is flirting with that elusive "next level."

[FREE] Lyle Overbay (1B, ARI) is on his third tour of duty in Arizona, where he broke into the big leagues a decade ago as the Diamondbacks first baseman of the future. Now 35, he's in a time share with Arizona's current first baseman of the future, Paul Goldschmidt (1B, ARI), and gaining more at-bats thanks to a hot start. Is Overbay still worth fanalytic consideration?

After piling up a 9-17 record with a 5.05 ERA last year, it’s not surprising that Derek Lowe (RHP, CLE) was traded during the off-season. Now in the last year of a four-year, $60M contract, Lowe has gotten off to a scorching start for the Indians.