After launching fantasybaseballsherpa.com, Swanay began putting his ideas into practice. But it wasn't until two years ago that, as he says, "a light bulb went on." That's when he realized the key to fantasy success lies in the concept of position scarcity.

As for some under-the-radar keeper candidates, Swanay looks for players who are primed to make a significant improvement in their performance levels with an idea toward identifying next season's version of Ryan Ludwick, Carlos Quentin or Cliff Lee — players who were drafted for little or nothing, but who blossomed into fantasy superstars. Here are some of Swanay's Sherpa sleepers for 2009:

Catcher

• AL: Kelly Shoppach, Kurt Suzuki, Jeff Clement, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Dioner Navarro.

• NL: Chris Snyder, Chris Iannetta, Ryan Doumit, Jesus Flores.

First base

• AL: Billy Butler, Bryan LaHair, Chris Davis.

• NL: Joey Votto, James Loney.

Second base

Swanay calls the Chicago White Sox's Alexei Ramirez a personal favorite, and his multiposition eligibility makes him doubly attractive for next season.

• AL: Alexei Ramirez, Howie Kendrick ("if he can ever stay healthy").

• NL: Jeff Baker, Rickie Weeks, Emilio Bonifacio.

Shortstop

Fantasy owners might be very happy if these guys end up being starters next year.

• AL: Erick Aybar, Jed Lowrie, Mike Aviles.

• NL: Emmanuel Burriss.

Third base

• AL: Brian Buscher.

• NL: Edwin Encarnacion, Andy LaRoche, Kevin Kouzmanoff.

Outfield

• AL: Adam Jones, Ben Francisco, Nelson Cruz, Adam Lind.

• NL: Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, Jay Bruce, Chase Headley.

Starting pitchers

• AL: Jered Weaver, Kevin Slowey, Dana Eveland, Matt Garza, John Danks.

• NL: Jair Jurrjens, Jorge Campillo, Mike Pelfrey, Johnny Cueto, Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez, Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Sanchez, Jason Bergmann.

Relief pitchers

• AL: Rafael Perez, Jose Arredondo, Grant Balfour, Frank Francisco.

• NL: Chris Perez, Jon Rauch, Carlos Marmol, Jonathan Broxton.

— USA Today