The quickest way to find value in Fantasy is to identify those players who are about to take a big step forward. Sometimes, it's easy to see coming -- a top prospect finally getting the opportunity to play everyday or a pitcher who adds 3 mph to his fastball in spring training are going to be pretty safe bets to break out. Finding breakouts among established players is a bit tougher, because it requires those players to break old habits and become a new kind of player.
It's tougher, but it isn't impossible. You just have to know what to look for to get ahead of the curve. We've put together a few lists of players you should consider targeting as breakouts -- five hitters and five pitchers -- along with the adjustments they'll need to make to turn that into reality.
Frank Stampfl also looked into starting pitchers who already made the adjustments they need to make last season, and who could be in line for breakouts as a result.
