Brandon Snyder talks about his move to Triple-A
As it turns out, Brandon Snyder is not going to win the Triple Crown in the Eastern League this year. With the season he's having, he surely would have taken a run at it.
But not now. Now that he has been promoted to Triple-A Norfolk. He'll be with the Tides tonight when they host Lehigh Valley at 7:15.
As he was driving to Norfolk this morning, Snyder took some time to talk about his promotion to the Tides.
When Snyder got the word he was going up after last night's Bowie win, the first person he got in contact with was his mom.
"I sent a text to my mom. She was sleeping, but woke up and called me. I told her I wasn't sure she would be able to come to the game tonight. She said why and I told her that's because I'll be playing in Norfolk and not Bowie. She was excited for me and helped me move out of my apartment this morning."
Snyder leaves Bowie hitting .343 with 10 homers and 45 RBI. He is first in the league in slugging at .597, second in the league in batting and on base percentage and third in doubles and RBI.
"I'm going to go there and relax and try to have the same at bats I've been having. Nothing changes, just try to keep doing what I've been doing."
Snyder said his goodbyes to his teammates in that close-knit Bowie clubhouse last night.
"I'm leaving some guys I've played with for a couple years now. That was probably the best group in the clubhouse I've ever been with in five years. It's a great group and we were really playing well lately. But at the same time I'm ready for this next challenge."
Brandon admits some frustration last year when he played all season with Frederick without a callup and some this year while hoping he would get the word of a move to Norfolk.
"Sometimes as a player you're never happy, you always want to move (up a level). We don't always see the development side of it. I remember last year around the all-star break in Frederick thinking I've just got to work harder to move up. But I have to give the Orioles credit, by staying at Frederick all year I was really ready for Double-A when I got the chance."
No doubt he's ready for Triple-A as well. And, tonight the O's first round pick from 2005 begins the next phase of a career that seems destined to take him to Baltimore as well.
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Categories (click for archive)Orioles News | Steve Melewski |
Snyder has turned the corner to super prospect the last two years. I watched him play at Delmarva, he was horrid! Waving the bat at bad pitches, making soft contact when he did hit the ball! Snyder has come along way! Hopefully he will be the starting firstbasemen for years to come! Think Paul Molitor type numbers. I hope Rowell turns the corner as Snyder did, there is still time!
What I'm most impressed by with the new 'recruits' either in Baltimore, or on there way here, such as Snyder, is the maturity and professionalism they bring to their jobs.
Either by accident or design, the Orioles seem to be targeting Ripken/BRobinson/Palmer type players that understand it's more than just talent that makes great players/citizens. It's refreshing....!
Your best guess: If Brandon continues to hit in AAA, does he replace Huff full time if he gets traded? I know I'd rather see what he could do for a few months than have Wigginton/Salazar out there. It would seem to be a pretty good test to help decide whether to bring Huff right back as a free agent.
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This promotion of Snyder could be tied to Huff's future. If he leaves via free agency, Snyder will get a half season in at AAA and could be the guy who starts at first next year. Or at least he goes to camp next March and battles it out with Wigginton and/or Salazar for first base.
If Huff gets traded by this July 31st, they could certainly call him up then, or go with Wigginton-Salazar while Snyder gets more AAA seasoning. - Steve
I love Brandon Snyder and I'm really happy that he's being promoted. I think he'll really be a great asset to the team in a few years. I do think he's a little hot-headed at times and really needs to work on that a little bit. I was at Bowie on Wednesday when Matusz made his debut. Snyder was up with two men out and a man on second and third. He strikes out and then throws his bat as hard as he can against the ground and chucks his helmet. I understand he's upset but it's not a good example to set.
very exciting july 31 2b-roberts cf-jones rf-markakis 3b-mora dh-scott c-wieters lf-reimold 1b-snyder ss-isturis p-guthrie bergensen rich hill berken patton david hernandez bullpen-sherrill johnson ray beaz albers koji castillo
Steve I thought you didn't like to analyze trades? For the players personal life?????
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What trade did I analyze??? Steve
Hey Steve,
I think this is great news.
However, the quote below is from your 6/17/09 posting. Isn't it curious that he is promoted just 2 days after David Stockstill says there are no plans to move him?
"We're very, very happy with what he's doing. We kind of feel along the lines of let's let him have an outstanding year for a full year together and that creates a great springboard for the future. At this point there is no talk about moving him to another level," according to O's Director of Player Development David Stockstill
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Believe, I sure noticed that. We've been asking about Snyder all year. Just days after I was told he's staying at Bowie, he goes up. Yes I am now officially confused. - Steve
The thing about Huff is that he isn't just a solid hitter. He can play both 3B and 1B. While he obviously isn't going to be winning any Gold Gloves at either position, the fact that you can put him in either position on a short term basis (and at 1B longer term) makes him more valuable than most DHs. Although I hate to say this in some ways, I would trade Luke before Aubrey for that reason--the Orioles have more depth in the outfield than in the infield. They are both good solid hitters. I wouldn't trade either one of them unless the price was right--either a very, very solid 3B or SS (preferably the former) prospect ready or nearly ready to step into Mora's place or a very very solid relief pitcher who throws good heat.
Will Salazar even be on this team by the time Huff is hypothetically traded? With the return of Izturiz return in the next week or so, Oscar seems to be the odd man out and he has no more options left!
Well the thing you have to look at is how cheap Snyder would be compared to Huff even if you're scarificing a proven player. the main focus needs to be on replacing Mora, they'll be moving a lot of payroll off the books after this year.McPhail wants major league ready young guys no retreads but he might have to trade the same to get one. The money crunch has everybody hanging onto young players.
Can't believe Bedard is on the DL again.This guy needs to get a Richard Simmons work out tape.