This week, Ron continues his "train of consciousness" journey through the pitchers.

For those new to this annual exercise, our Straight Draft Guide is our attempt to coalesce the wealth of tools and analysis offered here at BaseballHQ.com into a coherent approach to your straight draft.

Good things come in fives. In head-to-head leagues, gaining a competitive advantage in the traditional 5x5 categories often requires a non-traditional approach. Studying the best statistical performances of players and teams will yield results that are Top Notch.

Couldn't make it to this year's First Pitch Forums? Now you can bring the "2012 Game Changers" program to your computer.

Well-paid Cuban import Leonys Martin may spend all of 2012 in the minor leagues. If that's the case, it could set up a pair of his fleet-footed teammates to be off to the races.

Over the last three years, Matt Cain (RHP, SF) has averaged 220 innings, an ERA just under 3.00 and 13 wins. At age 27, he's in his prime. Is it safe to assume another season like the last?

Sometimes first impressions can lead us down the wrong road. Take the first base talent pool for example. With the latest news that Ryan Howard had suffered a setback in his rehab from Achilles tendon surgery last fall, it seems that at least in the NL with the departures of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, that first base was going to be void of major power hitters. But it's not like fantasy owners in NL-only leagues are going to be scrambling for power.

Eric Thames (OF, TOR) and Travis Snider (OF, TOR) find themselves battling for the starting left field job this spring. Thames held the every day job during the second half of last season, during which time he hit .255 with 11 home runs. He possesses plus power, as shown by last year's 133 PX, but mediocre walk and contact rates held him to just a .306 on-base-percentage.

With 18 wins and an ERA well south of 3.00 in 2011, Jered Weaver (RHP, LAA) was rightly called the Angels’ ace and factored into the Cy Young discussion. After making a big splash in the off-season, the Angels are looking to go deep into the post season in 2012. Can Weaver deliver an encore performance?

[FREE] Searching for those relievers who are expected to sell for a small price but earn a large profit—a combination of skill and not-yet-realized opportunity.

Mike Adams spent two years in SD waiting behind a rock-solid closer for chance to save games. He now finds himself in the same situation in Texas ... or does he?