Travis Snider on his new team, strong 2014 second half and more

SARASOTA, Fla. - He is a former top prospect that had a solid year in 2014 and now he may be playing a position where he is one of the players replacing a fan favorite in Baltimore.

Nick Markakis is gone and Travis Snider, acquired in a January trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, may get some of the starts in right field this year.

What can he bring to the Orioles?

"Just an everyday intensity," Snider said. "I like to keep things loose and have fun in the clubhouse and play hard on the field, but also understand how personalities mesh. Over the course of the long season, guys have different roles. I don't know what my role at this point will be, other than to show up and play hard and make some guys laugh in the process.

"It's a very exciting culture to be a part of with the experience you have with Buck (Showalter) at the helm and the vets that have been here a long time. Look forward to learning from everyone here."

The 27-year-old Snider hit .264/.338/.438 with 13 home runs and a career-high 38 RBIs in 140 games and 359 plate appearances with the Pirates in 2014.

He talked about his first few weeks as an Oriole.

"Been tremendous," he said. "Good place to be. Winning culture. Attitude every day is come here and get better and it's a good group of guys. Enjoying getting a feel for the personalities from the clubhouse to the coaching staff."

Snider said there are some differences with how spring camps are run between Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

"Some different styles in terms of manager and coaching staff," he said. "There is definitely a focus here in the outfield on making throws consistently in practice. The work ethic that is shown across the board, there is a high intensity and focus level that I appreciate.

"Everybody in this clubhouse has been more than friendly so far. I'm getting a feel for kind of the roles that some of the veteran guys are going to play here and where I can fit in as kind of a middle man here. Everyone has been great thus far."

The Orioles would love to see Snider pick up where he left off last year. He had a big second half for the Pirates, batting .288/.356/.524 with nine homers, 24 RBIs and an .880 OPS in 170 at-bats.

"I was able to make some adjustments," he said of his big second half. "Most importantly, swinging at better pitches and understanding what pitchers are going to do in different situations. We, as hitters, have to stay disciplined with our approach. It's something I've worked hard on for years in my career and never feel like I'll master it, but feel like I took a step in the right direction."

One topic that doesn't seem high on Snider's list right now is that of replacing Markakis.

"You know, I haven't played right field in three weeks," he said. "But, as I've said before, the fans have seen a franchise player leave. I respect all the great things he was able to do here, but I'm not worried about anyone that is not in this clubhouse. That goes for my former teammates in Pittsburgh. It is part of the business. For me, I'm excited for the opportunity to try and help this team win any way I can."