Brandon Snyder and AAA depth.

Brandon Snyder probably isn’t going to be a major factor in the Red Sox’ season, but he is having a wicked year down in Pawtucket. Snyder and Justin Henry, another Red Sox farm hand, are currently tearing up the International League.

Feb. 20, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA: Texas Rangers first baseman Brandon Snyder poses for a portrait during photo day at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Snyder was signed to a minor league deal in March, having previously played for the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles. The 26-year old was drafted in the first round of the 2005 draft by Baltimore, ahead of the likes of Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Buchholz, and Jed Lowrie, to name just a few. The Left-handed Henry on the other hand was acquired from the Tigers for Rule-5 pick, Jeff Kobernus, last December.

Henry is currently fourth in the International League with a .367 batting average, and Snyder isn’t far behind at .328. Granted, all this is taking place in the relatively hitter friendly IL, and neither of these guys would come close to this level of production in the Majors, but it does raise some intriguing possibilities regarding depth.

Feb 17, 2013; Fort Myers FL, USA; Boston Red Sox player Justin Henry (81) poses during photo day at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Snyder has already clocked some major league service time, and Henry hasn’t ever been higher than AAA in his career. Snyder is capable of playing first and third, while the even more versatile Henry can, and has played everywhere other than catcher and shortstop. Neither one of these guys is on the 40-man roster, so an according move would have to be made to get them to the Majors, but they could prove invaluable should someone go down with an injury or otherwise.

Looking back to last August, after Will Middlebrooks went down with a broken wrist and half the team had been traded to Los Angeles, the Sox had some problems addressing their corner infield positions. I’m not saying that these guys are the next great Red Sox, but they might provide stable replacements, instead of the revolving door of guys that occurred up and down the line up at the end of last year.