Prospect Profile: Brandon Snyder, 1B Baltimore Orioles
-Dexter Sports
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Buried in a draft class that included the likes of Justin Upton, Cameron Maybin, Andrew McCutchen, Chris Volstad, Ryan Braun, Ryan Zimmerman, Troy Tulowitski, Alex Gordon, Jacoby Ellsbury, Colby Rasmus, and Jay Bruce is a former catcher, that might have finally found his niche at the first base position.
Insert Brandon Snyder. While most of these names, who either went just ahead of him, or just after him in the first round of the 2005 draft, have found their way to the majors, or close to it, he has been busy trying to figure out a horrific 2006 season that saw him hit .194 for Orioles A ball affiliate, the Delmarva Shorebirds.
Drafted as the best catcher in the nation out of Westfield High School in Virginia, Snyder excelled in his first pro season. Hitting .271 in rookie ball, with a good control at the plate. A promotion to low A, led to a .393 performance in 28 at bats. Things seemed to be clicking. Until injuries struck the young catcher.
Much of the struggle of '06 for Snyder was due to injury. Snyder suffered a dislocated right shoulder and eventually a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. His hitting ability obviously was hampered. During the 06' off-season, it was unknown if Snyder would recover. But after a move to first base, the youngter responded. The Orioles would name him the minor league comeback player of the year in 2007. Snyder put up 58 RBIs, and put together a solid .352 OBP. It seemed as though the prospect was on the right track. The Orioles then sent him to play in Hawaii in the winter. Snyder proved he was back, hitting .378, winning a batting title for the league. And if that wasn't enough proof, Snyder's 2008 was a testiment to his real value.
Snyder was part of the potent Fredrick Keys team in 2008 that included top prospect Matt Wieters and pitching prospects Chris Tillman and Jake Arrieta. Snyder didn't dissapoint at first base, hitting an astonishing .315 with 80 runs batted in. His slugging percentage (.490) was the best of the Frederick squad that played more than 6 games. Currently he is hitting .393 with 4 RBIs on 11 hits for the Suprise Rafters of the Arizona Fall League.
Expect Snyder to be a big slugger for the AA Bowie Baysox in 2009. Snyder should be part of a huge nucleus of players flooding the Orioles between 2009 and 2012. I also wouldnt be surprised if Snyder is rushed. First baseman Kevin Millar will not be returning in 2009 and Aubrey Huff's contract expires after the 2009 season.
1:50 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
Buried in a draft class that included the likes of Justin Upton, Cameron Maybin, Andrew McCutchen, Chris Volstad, Ryan Braun, Ryan Zimmerman, Troy Tulowitski, Alex Gordon, Jacoby Ellsbury, Colby Rasmus, and Jay Bruce is a former catcher, that might have finally found his niche at the first base position.
Insert Brandon Snyder. While most of these names, who either went just ahead of him, or just after him in the first round of the 2005 draft, have found their way to the majors, or close to it, he has been busy trying to figure out a horrific 2006 season that saw him hit .194 for Orioles A ball affiliate, the Delmarva Shorebirds.
Drafted as the best catcher in the nation out of Westfield High School in Virginia, Snyder excelled in his first pro season. Hitting .271 in rookie ball, with a good control at the plate. A promotion to low A, led to a .393 performance in 28 at bats. Things seemed to be clicking. Until injuries struck the young catcher.
Much of the struggle of '06 for Snyder was due to injury. Snyder suffered a dislocated right shoulder and eventually a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. His hitting ability obviously was hampered. During the 06' off-season, it was unknown if Snyder would recover. But after a move to first base, the youngter responded. The Orioles would name him the minor league comeback player of the year in 2007. Snyder put up 58 RBIs, and put together a solid .352 OBP. It seemed as though the prospect was on the right track. The Orioles then sent him to play in Hawaii in the winter. Snyder proved he was back, hitting .378, winning a batting title for the league. And if that wasn't enough proof, Snyder's 2008 was a testiment to his real value.
Snyder was part of the potent Fredrick Keys team in 2008 that included top prospect Matt Wieters and pitching prospects Chris Tillman and Jake Arrieta. Snyder didn't dissapoint at first base, hitting an astonishing .315 with 80 runs batted in. His slugging percentage (.490) was the best of the Frederick squad that played more than 6 games. Currently he is hitting .393 with 4 RBIs on 11 hits for the Suprise Rafters of the Arizona Fall League.
Expect Snyder to be a big slugger for the AA Bowie Baysox in 2009. Snyder should be part of a huge nucleus of players flooding the Orioles between 2009 and 2012. I also wouldnt be surprised if Snyder is rushed. First baseman Kevin Millar will not be returning in 2009 and Aubrey Huff's contract expires after the 2009 season.
