Matt Adams - Matt Adams is likely to start at 1B for the Cards for at least the next week-plus as the Cards deal with their latest run of injuries. Adams is a 2009 draftee that has done nothing but hit (and hit with increasing power at every level) at every stop in the minors. His contact issues are surprisingly muted for an aggressive hitter just three years into his pro career, and the power numbers have been impressive enough the past few seasons that I would be comfortable slotting him right into a starting lineup in most leagues right off the bat. The catch here is that Allen Craig's return may very well see Adams shipped right back to AAA unless he has a fantastic 10-game trial, so in reality his value is more of the long-term variety right now, but either way he does merit a look in most formats.
Tyler Greene - Greene homered again last night, giving him 3 2B, a 3B, and a HR in his last five games. Huge K rates have always been a problem for Greene, but he does have legitimate power and speed. 20/20 might be a stretch, but 15/20 is certainly possible if he remains the preferred starter, and as a 2B that's enough production to start in most formats. He has hit close to .300 for parts of the past three seasons at AAA and is posting an LD rate above 30% this year for the Cards, so there may even be a bit of upside on the AVG front as well.
Ian Desmond - Desmond has hit in 10 of 11 after a single and a homer last night, and he's managed 5 2B and 3 HR in his past ten games. Desmond isn't walking at all, so I like the recent decision to move him down to the #5 slot in the lineup, where he'll obviously see more RBI chances. He's already one HR away from last season's total, and at age 26 he is at the point where a power spike would be appropriate. It's eminently possible that Desmond could develop into a 20/20 player this season, but the lack of plate discipline will likely put a ceiling on his contributions in the AVG category. He's still a solid solution at SS, and is likely to remain so for the better part of this decade.
Josh Bell - Josh Bell is apparently the new starting 3B for Arizona, as even a .577 SLG couldn't save Cody Ransom from being designated. It's interesting that Arizona cited Bell's ability to make contact as the reason for the change at 3B, as that has always been Bell's biggest weakness as a hitter. Sure, there's been some improvement this year, but I'm inclined to believe that it's either the influence of Reno or just a small sample size quirk than anything else, as Bell has scuffled with making consistent contact at every level for six years now. He has a bit of pop, and hitting in Arizona may even accentuate that a bit, but I don't expect significant value here at all. Bell might hit enough to be worth a flyer in NL-only leagues, but I think that even that is unlikely. Ryan Roberts will be thrust into a utility role for the time being, playing some 2B, 3B, and OF.
Dexter Fowler - I'm not quite sure what to make of the Rockies usage of Fowler thus far in 2012, as the 26 year old has shown improved power and a typically solid OBP despite a poor AVG that has been negatively impacted by some bad luck with BABIP. Because of his difficulties in sustaining playing time, Fowler is likely only worth a starting slot in NL-only formats right now, but what looks like legitimate power improvement makes him a worthwhile reserve in all formats.
