When Coors Field no longer is a hitter’s paradise and a pitcher’s nightmare, in what can a pious fantasy owner trust?

Indeed, the sands upon which all fantasy truths are built have shifted, and roto players have been left with that same piercing pain they felt when they learned there was no Santa Claus or Easter Bunny, that Mark Fidrych and Joe Charboneau were baseball mirages.

Every year since 1993, fantasy owners have checked the schedule before each week to see who would be playing in Denver. Then it was a cursory search for obscure shortstops who might get a start or two in the rarefied air.

It appears to be time to end that practice.

Here’s where we are after about 1-10th of the season: Coors Field is 25th out of 30 major-league parks in average runs scored, 29th in home runs. Lest you blame that on a poor Rockies’ lineup, the Rox are doing just fine on the road, thanks very much, averaging nearly eight runs per game through the first six contests.

Through 15 games, here are the bizarre home-road splits for the Rockies, who usually are horrendous on the road:

At home: .258 batting average, 4 HRs, 37 runs scored in nine games.

On road: .329 batting average, 12 HRs, 47 runs scored in six games.

Manager Clint Hurdle claims that the humidor, the room in which baseballs are stored, has normalized baseball at Coors Field. Perhaps it has. If normal means that a baseball should react like a bean bag upon contact with a wooden bat, then things are just fine in Colorado.

Other sands have shifted too, creating new fantasy stars and not just a few major duds.

Rising stars

Nick Swisher, 1B, Athletics

The Nick Swisher era has begun in Oakland. For the last two years, we’ve heard tell of this power-hitting outfielder, now a first baseman, but the youngster couldn’t put it all together. With six home runs in the first 15 games and an average of .333, it looks like things are finally falling into place.

A high strikeout rate will likely keep his average down below .270 when it’s all said and done, but the switch-hitter annihilates right-handed pitchers and is a good bet to hit 30 home runs this year.

Ryan Dempster, RHP, Cubs

Few players have gotten more flack for outstanding results than Dempster, who became the Cubs’ closer last May and has quietly excelled ever since. While rotisserie experts consistently were calling him a second-tier option, Dempster was busy saving 33 games in 35 opportunities in his first year as a stopper.

Dating back to August 16th of last year, he has pitched 311â3 innings without allowing a run, converting 23 chances in a row. When will Dempster start getting respect for being a top closer? Hard to know, but enjoy his lower price in trades while it lasts.

Falling fortunes

Ray Durham, 2B, Giants

The first thing to remember is that the year is 2006, and Durham no longer does the things that made him a stellar fantasy player in the late ’90s. Back then, he stole 30 bases per year; he has stolen no more than 10 in any of the last four seasons.

Even if he wasn’t hitting .156 through Wednesday, third-lowest in baseball among qualifiers, even if he wasn’t the only guy with more than 50 plate appearances who was lacking a single extra-base hit, he’d still be an overrated second baseman who won’t crack double digits in home runs or stolen bases this year. If he’s on your team, it’s time to find a better option.

All Royals hitters

What’s the difference between baseball’s two worst teams?

The Marlins are the one with all the prospects.

Those poor Royals. DH Mike Sweeney is not only a shadow of his former self and an injury waiting to happen, but a guy who is flirting with the Demi-Mendoza line (.100). Reggie Sanders, the team’s best player, is only an adequate outfield option; at a position packed with power and speed, he showcases little of either. Congratulations to 3B Mark Teahen, who hit his first homer of the season this past Monday. If this matters to your fantasy team, you’re probably at the bottom of your league.

Quick hits

Who may be the best fantasy shortstop by the end of the season? How about Hanley Ramirez of the Marlins? The rookie could steal 30 bases this year, will hit for some power, and currently leads all shortstops in OPS. … Through six starts, the Twins’ Brad Radke and Carlos Silva have combined to walk just four batters. Unfortunately, they’ve allowed 10 home runs. Best stealth choice for two-start pitcher this coming week? Try the Cardinals’ Jeff Suppan, who is off to a rough start but gets a chance to right his ship against the Pirates and Nationals at home.