Ellsbury made some huge leaps in 2009, establishing career highs in nearly every major offensive category. He led the Majors in steals and his 10 triples were best in the AL. Most important, he avoided the extended slumps that had held him back in 2008, batting at least .287 in each month of the season. Considering he’s only 26, there’s no doubt that the blazing-fast center fielder hasn’t come close to reaching his ceiling yet, which is a scary proposition for opposing pitching staffs going into 2010.

Seemingly determined to crack 70 steals, Ellsbury has gone for five swipes in has last nine games. He's helped his cause by swinging a hot bat, as he's hitting .368 in his last 17 contests.

Another big all-around day for Ellsbury, who has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games, swiping five bags in the process to increase his ML-leading total to 63. The Red Sox catalyst has slapped 26 doubles and scored 82 runs to complement his blazing speed and rock-solid .304 average, making him an excellent fantasy commodity.

Ellsbury has caught fire of late, ringing up a .400 average (14-for-35) in his past 10 contests to go with his usual stellar contributions on the basepaths.

Ellsbury has consistently delivered a solid average for owners, as it hasn't dipped below .294 since July 26. Altogether, Ellsbury is hitting .302 with 80 runs scored, solid numbers to go with his ML-leading 61 steals.

Ellsbury's 60 steals lead the Majors, but his improved batting average -- Monday's multi-hit effort raised his season average to an even .300 -- has made him much more than a one-dimensional steals play. Ellsbury is just a bit more pop and some improved on-base skills from breaking into the top tier of fantasy performers.

A good day’s work for Ellsbury, who broke out of a brief 1-for-14 funk with his fifth multi-hit effort in the last 10 games. The young speedster has enjoyed an impressive season, batting .298 with 75 runs and a Major League-leading 59 stolen bases.

Having already established himself as the big league leader and shattered his previous high of 50 swipes, Ellsbury looks determined to make a run at 70. Thursday marked his second and third swipe in two days.

Ellsbury's average fell to .298, but he moved ahead of Rays left fielder Carl Crawford for the big league lead in swipes.

Ellsbury had wanted to remain in Thursday's game after hurting the ankle while sliding into home plate in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ellsbury said before Friday's game that the ankle was "a little sore," but he remained adamant that it wouldn't deter him in future games. That's good news for his owners who are accustomed to watching the center fielder run on the basepaths, evidenced by his ML-leading 55 steals.

Ellsbury, who set a club single-season record with his 55th stolen base Aug. 25, was injured during a collision at home plate with White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski in the fifth inning. He was removed from the game and replaced by Rocco Baldelli in the top of the sixth. Red Sox manager Terry Francona told reporters after the game that injury did not appear to be serious. "We're certainly going to check with him [Friday]," Francona said. "I don't think it will be anything more than a nagging thing, and I'm glad we took him out. Got some ice on it, got it treated, and I'm hopeful that it'll be fine." That's certainly good news for fantasy owners, though don't be surprised if the fleet-footed center fielder is given a night off Friday to rest.

Not only did Ellsbury's swipe set a Red Sox record, it also moved him ahead of an ailing Carl Crawford for the big league lead. Ellsbury, who fell just short of the record last season with 50 thefts, goes into Wednesday hitting .298 with 22 doubles and 45 RBIs.

With the way things are going now, don't rule out the possibility of Ellsbury reaching 70 steals by year's end.

There were no extra-base hits or steals from Ellsbury in this one. Just a pair of singles at the right time, giving him a .300 average and 40 RBIs to go alongside 53 steals.

Another solid day for Ellsbury, who is neck-and-neck with Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford (54 SB) for the big league lead in steals. This month, the fleet-footed center fielder is batting .290 with six thefts and nine runs scored.