Brandon Snyder (3B-TEX) - As if the Rangers needed more offense. Monday, Snyder got a rare start at third base, this one against his former team the Orioles. Safe to say it went well, as Snyder went 3-for-5 with a homer and six RBI in a Rangers blowout. Snyder is now batting a cool .421/.476/.789 in 19 at-bats. It was Snyder's second start this month, and he also homered in his previous one. He's also had time at first base and has dabbled in the outfield in a bit to improve his versatility, and his May results to date could ensure enough playing time to give him AL-only value. Snyder had just a .718 OPS last year in Triple-A, but he was a former first-round pick, and as we've seen with guys like Alex Gordon, some players are just late bloomers. Perhaps Snyder is one.
Will Middlebrooks (3B-BOS) - Kevin Youkilis is eligible to return from a back injury on May 14, but it sounds like it will take him a few days longer than that perhaps. Regardless, how do the Red Sox send Middlebrooks down once he returns? Monday all he did was go 3-for-5 with a double, two home runs, and five RBI against the Royals. Middlebrooks is now batting .381/.409/.952 in 21 at-bats with three homers and nine RBI in the last two days alone. One option could be to slot one of the two in a corner outfield slot, as the current starters there, Cody Ross and Ryan Sweeney, aren't exactly All-Stars. Perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself due to the small sample size, but this is a pretty impressive hitter. He had a 1.057 OPS in Triple-A before his promotion, so he's been hot all year.
Jarrod Dyson (OF-KC) - A groin injury is expected to keep Lorenzo Cain sidelined another month, and Dyson is taking advantage of his time in center field. Monday he was 3-fpr-5 (all singles) with a run scored to raise his batting line to .326/.340/.491 in 45 at-bats. Dyson has three stolen bases and no homers, but considering he totaled just five homers in his previous four professional seasons, that's not a surprise. Dyson's value is in his legs, as he stole 49 ;8bases last year, with 11 coming with the Royals. Dyson hasn't shown much ability to hit for average the past couple years, so we'll remain skeptical for now, but if you need the steals, he could help.
Chris Parmelee (1B/OF - MIN) - There hasn't been much to like about the Twins this year, Parmelee included. The former top draft pick was 1-for-4 Monday and is now batting just .203/.267/.304 with no homers and a 0.20 EYE (20:4 K:BB) in 69 at-bats. It was just his second hit in his last 23 at-bats since being hit in the head by a pitch during a game. Parmelee was very impressive last year in a 76 at-bat stint, batting .355/.443/.592 with four homers and a 13:12 K:BB. He's shown the ability to take a walk and hit for average power in the minors, so we'll just chalk this up to a slow start. He should continue to see regular playing time.
Brian Matusz (SP-BAL) - Matusz remains an enigma. After solid starts in New York and home against Toronto, the Rangers touched Matusz for seven runs and 10 hits in five innings Monday. We can probably forgive this one considering the opponent, but after all the optimism this spring, Matusz 1-4, 5.92 start is very disappointing. On the plus side, Matusz's velocity is back up to previous levels this year, so now all he has to do is repeat his delivery and all is good. Easier said than done of course, but don't write him off just yet.
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