Could Javier Valentin be the next Fernando Tatis?

Fernando Tatis was out of baseball from 2003-2005 and when he did return in 2006, he played most of the year with the Oriole's AAA affiliate.

He spent the entire 2007 season with the Mets AAA Affiliate and 131 games, all at third base, he hit .275.

The next year, it appeared the Mets had plans to use him on the bench of the major league club. Before getting called up, Tatis showed his versatility by playing LF, SS, 3B and 2B.

When he finally returned to the majors, Tatis made the most of his opportunity by hitting .297 while playing LF,RF, 1B and 3B.

Javier Valentin was the Cincinnati Reds catcher from 2004-2008. Prior to that, he spent a year with the Rays and before that, four years with the Twins. Overall, Valentin has a .251 lifetime average while logging 432 major league games behind the plate.

After not being re-signed by the Reds, Valentin accepted a minor-league deal with the Washington Nationals, but didn't make their roster out of spring training.

When his career was on a low note, similar to Tatis, the veteran catcher joined the Mets AAA affiliate.

Tatis was kept at his primary position at third base while he got back in baseball shape and before needing to prove his versatility.

Valentin isn't that far removed from baseball and hasn't caught a single game since joining the Buffalo Bisons. He's hitting .333 with a .595 slugging percentage.

After playing nine games at 1B, today Valentin played 3B for the first time.