Mark Buehrle delivers some 85 mph heat (US Presswire)

Yes, that's a big Mark Buehrle photo up above, right there ^. No, this does not make me a Buehrle apologist. As a fantasy commodity, he clearly has some flaws.

Over the past three seasons, Buehrle's K/9 is just 4.48, a ridiculously low rate that makes him difficult to own in any roto format that uses an innings cap — like, for instance, a Yahoo! public rotisserie league (1400 IP max). You've got no shot to compete in strikeouts if you carry a 200-inning pitcher who struggles to reach triple-digits in Ks. (For the record, Buehrle struck out only 99 batters over 210.1 innings in 2010). Even in the National League, the veteran lefty has to be regarded as a spot-starter for fantasy purposes, nothing more.

But in the week ahead, feel free to use him twice. Buehrle will get a home match-up with Arizona and a road start at San Diego. Both teams rank at or near the bottom of the N.L. in batting average (.237 and .191), and at the top of the league in total strikeouts (175, 177). There are no aces on the schedule for Buehrle. He'll face 22-year-old Diamondbacks call-up Patrick Corbin on Monday, then Pads lefty Clayton Richard (5.11 ERA) at Petco on Saturday. If you need pitching assistance in a weekly transaction league, this is a boring add that you should seriously consider. Buehrle is available in 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues, so plenty of you can go get him.

Here's the rest of the Week 5 two-start field, ranked and sorted...

Anxious. Impatient. Grumpy. Since the last second expired on the NFL season at Lucas Oil Field nearly four months ago, loyal Lions, Bears and Bengals supporters, to name a few, have hibernated in man-caves waiting for next year to begin. Sure the 'Shandy' may help pass along summer's dog days, but for those with an insatiable appetite for pigskin, the sweltering heat can't come and go soon enough.

Though training camps don't officially open until late July, the NFL Draft is the first step in reawakening the fantasy beast. Simply put, it gets people thinking and talking about fake football. And for those who quickly exited the playoffs last December, it sparks a renewed sense of optimism. In April, anything is possible. That is, unless you're a "cursed" Calvin Johnson owner in a keeper league. To those unfortunate few, the Noise offers his condolences.

This year's rookie crop is one of the finest to come along in years. A handful of incredibly talented players will be thrust into favorable situations, where statistical stardom could be immediately achieved.

In recent years, first-year commodities have typically fared only marginally on the virtual gridiron. Of course, there are exceptions. Cam Newton's historic 2011 carried many to championship glory. However, for every stud there are at least three duds. Ryan Mathews buyers, for example, who plunked down a large chunk of cheddar in 2010 presumably still hold a grudge. In fact, because of the air-focused evolution of the NFL, freshmen running backs have suffered the most. None have produced a top-10 return over a full season since Matt Forte in 2008. But, to be fair, DeMarco Murray (11.1 points per game in standard formats over seven starts) and Roy Helu (15.1 ppg in five starts) were strong RB2s in 12-team leagues when inserted into the starting lineup last year.

After weeks of poking, prodding and Wonderlicking, destinations are now determined. What newcomers will be cornerstones on fantasy rosters next season? Here's a half-rack of players poised to make an impact (in order of projected contribution):

Bonding moment for Martinez and Lowrie (US Presswire)

There weren't a lot of expectations placed on the Houston Astros entering the 2012 season. Vegas pegged them to win 63.5 games before the year, and when I gathered eight friends for an over/under pool, only one person had the nerve to call "over" on this group. (Perhaps Erin had some inside information, living in Houston, or maybe it was a heart over head pick. Either way, she's on pace to scoop that one.)

Now that we're three weeks into the campaign, I'm ready to hop on the Metro. These Astros are competitive, at least for fantasy purposes.

You're not going to find a lot of pop with the current lineup, but don't dismiss Houston out of hand. The Astros have scored 95 runs in their 20 games (fourth-best in the National league) and they've collected 17 steals (tied for second in the NL). Much like the Astros of yesteryear, the guys who played in the dome, this club nicks and pings you into submission, death by 1,000 cuts.

Friday was another case in point, as the Astros made good use of their nine hits, rolling to a 6-4 victory over Cincinnati. There wasn't a Houston homer to be found, but five singles, two doubles, a triple and a couple of steals padded the offensive line nicely.

The lineup runs out of steam near the bottom of the order, like a lot of NL clubs do, but you can make a strong case that the top five hitters in Houston are under-owned in Yahoo! fantasy groups. Make the jump and let's give them all a look under the spotlight:

Bryce Harper and Mike Trout catch up in Arizona (US Presswire)

In many years, the sweet spot for prospect callups is the first week of June. For 2012, it's all about April 28.

The Nationals made the call for Bryce Harper during east coast drive time Friday evening, and the Angels have since upped the ante. Los Angeles released spare part Bobby Abreu on Friday, and with the corresponding move they'll add Mike Trout from Triple-A Salt Lake.

Although Harper is slightly ahead of Trout on most long-term prospect lists (Baseball America has them first and third, respectively), Trout is the more appealing fantasy play for immediate dividends. Trouts, at 20, is 14 months older than Harper, and he's played four years of pro ball to Harper's two. Trout also has 30 games of big league experience already under his belt, logging 123 at-bats last year (five homers, four steals, .220/.281/.390).

Trout's been crushing it in the minors this year, posting a .403/.467/.623 line over 20 games. He's only got one homer (along with four doubles and five triples), but he's also posted 21 runs and six steals. Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia says Trout "will play," whatever that turns out to mean.

Jordan Walden takes a slow, lonely walk (US Presswire)

On Thursday, Jordan Walden blew a save opportunity for the first time this season, giving up a two-run homer in the ninth to Brandon Allen. On Friday, Angels manager Mike Scioscia removed Walden from the closer's role.

I'm having trouble processing this news, because where I'm from (Chicago), managers don't even bother to give pep talks to closers until their blown save totals reach double-digits.

Scott Downs has been reassigned to the ninth inning — temporarily, according to the early reports — while Walden works through a few issues. Here's Scioscia, via the Los Angeles Times:

ALERT! Bryce Harper gets the call (US Presswire)

Repeat: This is *NOT* a drill. This is an actual fantasy event. You are expected to react, fantasy owner.

The Washington Nationals have announced that 19-year-old Bryce Harper, the first overall pick in the 2010 MLB draft, will be promoted from Triple-A Syracuse. He'll make his big league debut at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, facing Chad Billingsley.

This was surely not the original plan for Harper, but Ryan Zimmerman (shoulder) is about to hit the disabled list, so the Nats are in search of offense. Michael Morse is also on the DL, Mark DeRosa has been a mess, and Roger Bernadina is still Roger Bernadina. Thus, the Harper call-up. He's barely treading water at Triple-A right now (.250/.333/.375, HR, SB), although we should note that he's 9-for-31 over his last 10 games. Harper's power potential is well-documented, but he offers decent speed as well. He swiped 26 bags across two minor league levels last season.

Brad Eldred (Getty Images)

Under normal circumstances, this feature is going to be focused almost exclusively on prospects, by which we mean young minor league players, guys nowhere near their peak. Each Friday, I'll have to find new ways to hype Trevor Bauer, Nolan Arenado, Dylan Bundy, Mike Trout, Danny Hultzen, Billy Hamilton, Will Middlebrooks, and the rest of the usual suspects.

But today we're taking a different approach. Today, we need to turn our attention to an older minor league demographic. Consider this a Bryan LaHair tribute if you like. Or it's a celebration of Brandon Weeden. Or it's a tip of the cap to Brandon Moss, a man who just recorded his 1,000th career minor league hit.

In any case, there are at least two recent call-ups you'll want to be familiar with, and neither is a prospect in the traditional sense...

Mike Aviles on fire - are you buying? (US Presswire)

You have to give one thing to the Boston Red Sox: for an 8-10 team, they're a fascinating story. Big names are hurt. The manager is a wild card. The starting pitching is struggling, the bullpen stinks.

And then there's the offense, that glorious offense. Between the Red Sox lineup and what opposing teams do against Boston's overrated staff, we're going to see a gigantic amount of runs scored at Fenway Park this summer. And Boston will score plenty on the road, too; witness how they've bludgeoned the Twins and White Sox in a four-game winning streak this week (not even perfect Phil Humber could stem the tide).

The second Carl Crawford cleat dropped Thursday: he's going to rehab his elbow injury (as opposed to surgery) and the timetable for a return is set at three months. On a lesser club, this would be a significant blow, but the Boston lineup (ranked second in runs, average and slugging) doesn't seem to miss Crawford at all. And don't wax poetic on his defense; a lawn chair could cover the limited real estate in Fenway Park. Crawford's absence also keeps the runaway clear for some other intriguing commodities here.

I tabbed Mike Aviles as a sleeper in March, like our entire staff did, but I'm kicking myself for not ranking him higher (I landed him a few times, anyway). Back in March it wasn't a slam dunk that he'd be the team's starting shortstop, and it looked like he'd spend most of his time slotted eighth or ninth. But things have fallen perfectly for Aviles through the opening three weeks: he's pushed his way to the top of the lineup, and he's off to a dynamite start (.324, 16 runs, four homers, 13 RBIs, three steals). With Crawford on the shelf for an extended period of time, you have to figure that Aviles will stay parked in this catbird seat for most of the season. He's not owned in all leagues yet but he should be, even in the thinnest of mixers.