Slugging Soriano

Alfonso Soriano bashed his National-League-leading fourth home run into the night to leadoff the Cubs 8-5 win over Milwaukee at Miller Park. It's Soriano's second leadoff home run this season. He has just seven RBI, thanks to batting leadoff. MLB home run leader Evan Longoria (5 HR) owns 10 RBI.

Fantasy Impact: Soriano might be an ideal No. 5 hitter. He's got pop, and while his on base percentage lacks, he can steal a base once he gets on. That's an ideal type of player for the role in the National League, where a power guy can knock himself in or get himself from first to second in time for the lower order to bring him home before the pitcher's turn. Soriano desires to bat first, though, so his RBI numbers will continue to take a hit.

In good hands with Hanley

Fantasy owners will love Hanley Ramirez's production in the heart of the Marlins order this year. After notching just 59, 81 and 67 RBI in his first three seasons in the big leagues, Ramirez tallied five on opening day, thanks to a grand slam home run.

Fantasy Impact: He's the best offensive player in baseball, and his value at shortstop is that much more. Emilio Bonifacio and Cameron Maybin might do more of the running in Florida, but Ramirez is capable of turning in elite numbers in every offensive category in 2009.

Welcome back, Chad Tracy

Chad Tracy, one of Spitting Seeds' sleepers for 2009, made a huge impact on opening day. Hitting fourth in the Diamondbacks lineup, the third baseman smacked him first home run of the year, going 3-4 with two runs and two RBI. He was actually outdone by teammates Felipe Lopez and Tony Clark, who each hit two homers.

Fantasy Impact: In some leagues, it's just nine more starts for Tracy at third to become eligible at the position. He's fully recovered from knee surgery, so we're expecting big things. Lopez is an intriguing sleeper with multiple-position eligibility. He hit 23 homers to go along with a .291 average in 2005, but he's streaky at times, and by streaky we mean slump-prone. Clark will fill in for Tracy at times or when Tracy is in for Mark Reynolds at third. Hey, if both guys mash homers like this, Reynolds might be sitting more and more.