Snyder talks about his AFL experience
O's prospect Brandon Snyder celebrated his 22nd birthday on Sunday. It was a time to be with family and friends but also to look back on his standout 2008 season that ended with Snyder hitting .349 in the Arizona Fall League.
Snyder batted .349-4-10 in 17 games for the Surprise Rafters with 22 hits in 63 at bats. He had an on base percentage of .431 and a slugging percentage of .667--and he did it without ever having played in back-to-back games. With the large rosters, which included taxi squads, not everyone got regular at bats.
If he had enough plate appearances to qualify, he would have finished tied for 13th in batting average, tied for 10th in doubles and tied for 6th in slugging.
"I felt real good about my play," Snyder said. "The tough part was not playing every day and trying to stay sharp and focused. I tried to make the most of my every at bat. Days I didn't play I tried to go even harder in BP.
"It's a great feeling to know where you stand. I never doubted I could play there, but it was nice to be able to show it. It's something I can take into next year. I think my hitting had some carry-over from the season and whenever I've moved up a level in competition I really get pumped up."
This followed a season where Snyder hit .315-13-80 at Frederick. He was one of the youngest players in the Carolina League at 21, but finished second in the league in batting, and tied for 6th in RBI and slugging.
Fans at AFL games also got to see the leaner Snyder. He said he watched his diet carefully there and lost 12 pounds. He played at 217 in Frederick but is now at 205.
"I feel great at this weight. I've never been in better shape. I just cut out junk food and anything bad for you. I'd like to be about 210 for Spring Training, but a leaner 210."
Brandon says he's heard the rumblings that his defense needs work if he is to someday make the Major Leagues.
"I'm not sure why (my defense gets criticized). I didn't make that many errors last year in Frederick. And first base was new to me. I'm no Mark Teixeira on defense but I didn't hurt us either. Sometimes I just tried to do too much on defense."
Snyder played a handful of games at third base in the AFL and says that is a position where he'd like to end up.
"I loved playing third base. If I had my choice, that's where I'd really like to play. I'll go wherever the O's want me, but that's a spot I really like and there's been some talk over the last couple of years about me playing some there," said Snyder who played some at short and third base in high school.
Snyder said a goal for 2009 is to be invited to the big league camp in Ft. Lauderdale.
"That's a real goal for me. I hope some others feel the same way."
While in Arizona, Snyder, the O's first-round pick in 2005, also got a first-hand look at pitcher Brian Matusz, the club's top pick this year.
"As a player he is phenomenal. To go from college to that league is impressive. It's a hitters league and he did a great job," Snyder said of Matusz. "As a person, he is a great guy, phenomenal person. He's down to earth and it was a real pleasure getting to know him. It would be great if we played together in Bowie this year."
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Categories (click for archive)Steve Melewski |
What a great additude and an excellent player that's been flying under the radar.
I hope he proves all the pundits wrong about his glove.
One more stud for the O's to call up in a year or 2!
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KC:
The best move the O's ever made with Brandon is scrapping the catching idea. Now he can concentrate on what got him drafted in round one - his bat. That's the tool that will one day get him to the Majors. I'm interested to see if the O's consider him for third base next year in the minors. I've gotten to know Brandon over the last few years and he is a real solid young guy who is a hard worker. Whenever he gets to Baltimore, the fans will love the guy.
Steve
I have seen quite a number of reports knocking on Brandon's defense as well. Defense isn't always about making a lot of errors. Sometimes there are a lot of plays that "should" be made that just aren't, and there is no error on the play.
I have never had a chance to see him in the field at any position. This is something that MASN might be able to do for the fanbase in the future. They did a little bit of this last year where they played some Norfolk Tides games and I think they played some Bowie games as well. It might be nice if the Orioles have an off day or maybe once a week at some point they could broadcast a "minor league game of the week." It could be previously recorded and they could just pick the one they think was the most compelling, or showed a lot of the "future O's" in action. This way the fans could connect with these guys and already feel like they know them even before they get to the major league level.
This might be a way to build a "grass roots" fan base back to what it used to be like.
Back to my point, what is Snyder's range looking like? One knock I am seeing about Rowell's defense is that his footwork is all wrong and that leads to a lot of his mistakes. I've also heard that Rowell is kind of immature and doesn't take to instruction well. That doesn't seem to be an issue with Snyder.
Snyder's bat picked up an I noticed an up tick in his doubles, usually a very good sign in a potential power hitter. He's got a lot of fans around that want to see him succeed, but I have my doubts. Of course, I hope he does make it.
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Hey Mythical:
No one is assured of making the Majors, not even first-round picks. But I feel confident Brandon's bat will get him there. There are plenty of players who hit but come up short with their fielding but still make the Majors. Luke Scott and Lou Montanez are examplese on the O's now.
I can't speak about his infield range, since I only saw him catch in Aberdeen and then he hurt his shoulder. He played infield in high school and remains confident he can do it again. As he said, he'd like a shot at third base. Maybe he'll get that chance at AA this season.
Steve
Steve,
Brandon has ALWAYS been a HARD WORKER from Little League through High School (Westfield HS), at Camps with Mid~Atlantic, NVBA, Snyder Baseball and on to the Orioles. His work ethic, love for the game and talent, as well as his personality will carry him to the big leagues sooner than later.
Bob Schnebly
Hitting Instructor
Snyder~Hahne BPT
www.bobschnebly.com
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Bob:
Sounds like you know Brandon. I got to know him when I was broadcasting IronBirds games and he played there. Great attitude, even though he was a high pick, no ego at all, just a good young guy. I'm happy to see him doing well and as I said previously, when the Baltimore fans get to know him they'll really love the guy.
Steve
Steve,
Yes, I do know Brandon and have worked as a hitting instructor for Brandon's dad (Brian) for going on 17 years at various locations. Most recently to include Snyder Baseball School and now the just opened Snyder~Hahne Baseball Performance Training (BPT), in Chantilly, Virginia. I got to know Brandon as a little boy at Grand Slam USA Baseball (1990~1993). We just clicked. Currently Brandon and I will work together (when MY old baseball and football injuries will allow me to be on the floor) again at Snyder~Hahne BPT. We just "Officially opened" for business December 1st, 2008. I was able to see him when I was in Arizona for a couple weeks in mid~late October 2008. I always enjoy seeing Brandon at his BEST, staying closed, keeping his hands inside the ball, the bat head above the ball and hitting a screaming line drive into the right~center gap for a clean standup double. That's when he's at his best and "People" don't mess with him.
Bob