Welcome to the first 2015 installment of Category Impact. Each week I’ll peruse the Major Leagues for players I feel are on the verge of making a significant category impact for one reason or another. The primary focus will be the ten standard rotisserie categories. Occasionally we’ll recognize a decent number of leagues have adopted categories such as saves, quality starts and on-base percentage and include impact players in those categories.

An ancillary benefit of this column will be it is posted a couple days before most weekly leagues run waivers or allow bidding on free agents. As such, if you need help in a particular area, you may find a waiver or free agent gem discussed.

Today’s theme is players that may have slipped under-the-radar in shallower mixed leagues but should have a significant category impact, at least while they’re playing. Those playing in single-league formats are likely aware of these names as are DFS players since there are the exact type of players you want to use since their salary is likely rock-bottom.

Jose Ramirez, SS, Cleveland Indians: Most rankings are based on a player’s dollar value and most player’s dollar values are based on their season-long projection. This does a disservice to players like Ramirez. It’s widely thought that top-prospect Francisco Lindor will debut in 2015. When he does, the assumption is it comes at the expense of Ramirez. Therefore, Ramirez’s season-long playing time projection is reduced which in turn lowers his dollar value and thus his ranking. Prorate his numbers to a full season and we’re looking at .270 with at least 30 steals and a bunch of runs. In other words, when he’s playing you get a player somewhere between Alexei Ramirez and Erick Aybar. Use him while he’s the starter and replace him if Lindor indeed gets promoted. CATEGORY IMPACT: Steals, runs, average

Devon Travis, 2B, Toronto Blue Jays: Travis was acquired in the Anthony Gose deal. The expectation was he’d eventually take over the second base gig north-of-the-border, he just did it sooner than expected. Ironically, the best comp for Travis is the second baseman from his old team, Ian Kinsler. Well, sort of. Kinsler hits at the top of a very powerful lineup so his run production will far exceed that of Travis, but Travis is capable of posting similar home run and stolen base totals as Kinsler, mid to high teens. If Travis ever pushes his way up the order, the additional runs scored and knocked in will rise significantly. CATEGORY IMPACT: Home runs, steals

Jace Peterson, 2B, Atlanta Braves: Let’s continue the theme of middle infielders with speed look at Peterson, who was acquired from San Diego in the Justin Upton deal. For much of the spring, I was stashing Jose Peraza on every reserve list as possible assuming he’ll be called up in June but now I’m not so sure. Peterson hit his way into the starting lineup and his speed could keep him there. Better yet, unlike Ramirez and Travis, at least early on, Peterson is hitting at the top of the order. CATEGORY IMPACT: Steals

Jake Lamb, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks: It’s somewhat poetic that in March, Lamb earned a chance to come in like a lion. Yosmany Tomas inability to field the hot corner opened the door for Lamb and he took advantage. Lamb will need to continue to hit since Tomas is playing third, left and even first base in Triple-A Reno. If he’s a regular the whole season, Lamb has 20-homer upside though high teens is more realistic. CATEGORY IMPACT: Home runs, RBI

Michael Taylor, OF, Washngton Nationals: Taylor is keeping center field warm a couple weeks for Denard Span, who is expected to be back late April early May. Prorated to a full season, Taylor projects to mid-teens homers with 30-plus steals. The downside is a low average but if you are okay in that department, Taylor could fill up the other categories while Span is out. CATEGORY IMPACT: Steals, runs, home runs

Marcus Semien, SS, Oakland Athletics: Billy Beane knows what he’s doing. He may not be a household name but Semien is a nice ballplayer and even nicer for fantasy purposes as it won’t be long before he has a troika of position eligibility as he entered the year eligible at second and third and will soon be adding shortstop. Hitting towards the end of the order tempers production, but by season’s end Semien will have double digit homers and steals. CATEGORY IMPACT: Steals, home runs

T.J. House and Zach McAllister, SP, Cleveland Indians: With the help of an injury to Gavin Floyd, House and McAllister broke camp in the Tribe rotation where they’ll be backed by a good defense and a decent park. For McAllister, last season’s 5.23 ERA is deceiving as evidenced by a 3.45 FIP and 3.84 xFIP. His walk and strikeout rates were basically league average so with a little growth, McAllister has the chance to be better than average which puts him mixed-league worth, especially at home. House’s whiff rate is a little lower than McAllister’s though he possesses better control. In addition, House is an extreme ground ball artist. CATEGORY IMPACT: Wins, strikeouts (McAllister), ERA/WHIP (House)

Raisel Iglesias, SP, Cincinnati Reds: Somewhat surprisingly, Iglesias won the last rotation spot for the Reds. The surprise wasn’t talent but more that he really isn’t stretched out to be a starter. Iglesias last pitched regularly in 2013, having spent much of that year on the lam before finally defecting from Cuba, taking up residence in Haiti. He’ll probably be babied a bit early, but once he builds his stamina back up, Iglesias has a chance to make a difference. CATEGORY IMPACT: Wins, strikeouts

Miguel Castro and Roberto Osuna, RP, Toronto Blue Jays: Dang it, I don’t type fast enough. I just took a break from writing to check my Twitter feed and alas, the Blue Jays are already relieving Brett Cecil of closer duties making Castro and perhaps Osuna candidates for saves. Both possess live arms and can pitch in high-leverage situations. Actually, maybe the problem isn’t my typing but the frequency I check Twitter (gratuitous plus, follow me @ToddZola). CATEGORY IMPACT: ERA/WHIP, holds, maybe saves

Keone Kela, RP, Texas Rangers: Kela is the Rangers version of Castro and Osuna. He impressed this spring and immediately has taken on a high-leverage role in a depleted bullpen. If Neftali Feliz falters, Kela could be given a chance at game-ending duties. CATEGORY IMPACT: ERA/WHIP, holds, maybe saves