Quick Hit: Soriano Heating Up - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

Fantasy owners of Alfonso Soriano have been incredibly frustrated with him for pretty much the entire season ... up until Saturday, when he broke through with a 4-5 game. On Tuesday, his encore was a 2-for-5 performance that included a double and bomb (his fourth).

Keep in mind his power started very slowly last season as well. He didn't hit his fifth bomb until June 3rd ... and he ended up with 33.

Since his comeback, Sori has been showing signs of being ready to break through. He's taking pitches he was swinging at earlier in the season, and hitting balls hard as opposed to lazy fly balls and weak grounders. The average has now steadily risen since coming back from the DL -- .164 to .232 in 10 games -- and the extra base hits are piling up. Before his injury, he only garnered extra bases three times in 12 games. Since? Seven. He was even robbed of a home run by Griffey last week in Cincy.

Since he's not going to steal bases like the 40/40 man of old (only two years ago, but it seems like ages since he mattered on the bases because of leg injuries), he's not going to be the top five pick-type again ... but if you need HR and Runs help, he's your man. He's an elite option in those categories from this point forward, while he won't hurt you in the other three (you can still count on 15-20 SBs with a .290ish average and around 75 RBI).

If his owner is still sleeping, it won't hurt to make an inquiry. Remember, Soriano's made said owner endure a lot of crap thus far with very little return.

And a big return is coming ... it's right around the corner.