Michael Cuddyer has been a lot of things for the Minnesota Twins during his 14 years with the organization. Since being drafted in the first round of the 1997 amateur draft, Michael Cuddyer has played all over the diamond (literally ALL OVER THE DIAMOND, a true super utility man). He’s played every position except catcher and pitcher in his 10 years in the big leagues and despite his struggles through the first 25% of this season, Ron Gardenhire has asked him to play first base and second base to cover up for some of the unfortunate injuries the Twins have had this year, and he’s started to surge!  Through his first 37 games this season Cuddyer is hitting just .252, his lowest batting average since becoming a big league regular (excepting the 2008 season when he spent two stints on the 15-day DL and played in only 62 games). Today, since then he has raised his batting average 21 points and his OPS+ is the third highest in his career at 112.  With Joe Mauer out of the line-up and Morneau hitting the DL, the Twins have needed Cuddyer to do more than ever, and for a while he was unable to answer the call. The Twins line-up is dramatically different without Mauer playing everyday, and without Justin Morneau, Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Jim Thome, and Jason Kubel.  Include a massive sophomore slump for Danny Valencia and Cuddyer’s value is greater than ever.  (more…)