Snyder Finally on BA Hot Sheet

[alexei606]

Snyder finally made it. BA still says he has problems at 1B - I thought that he has improved.

No. 8 BRANDON SNYDER, 1B

ORIOLES

Team: Double-A Bowie (Eastern)

Age: 22

Why He's Here: .333/.556/.667 (6-for-18), 2 HR, 4 R, 6 RBIs, 7, BB, 7 SO

The Scoop: Snyder makes his 2009 Hot Sheet debut on the strength of his power bat, which has been on display throughout the first two months of the season. The former 2005 first rounder first began to tap into his offensive potential last year at high Class A Frederick, where he showed an improved hitting approach in staying back on offspeed pitches and working deeper counts. And last year's success has spilled over into this year, as the 6-foot-2, 210-pound first baseman leads all Eastern Leaguers in slugging percentage (.616) and ranks among the top five in batting average (.351) and on-base percentage (.422). Below-average range and footwork keep Snyder from becoming an adequate defender, leading to speculation that he will ultimately wind up in the outfield. But as long as he keeps hitting like this, there will always be a place for him in a lineup, no matter the defensive shortcomings.

2009 Stats

Link: http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2009/268202.html

[JCK]

I believe this makes him the 6th O to make an appearance. Erbe, Reimold, Tillman, Arrietta, Matusz, and now Snyder.

[bird watcher]

That doesn't jive with what we have been hearing around here.

I believe some people who poopoo'ed him before will be slow to give him all out praise. People hate being wrong.

I mean come on "not an adequate defender"?:scratchchinhmm:

[stef]

Below-average range and footwork keep Snyder from becoming an adequate defender

I'm interested in comments on the above from anyone who has seen him play this year. I'm not buying it.

[murrayfan420]

If he had bad range at first.. how would that then mean he needs to end up in the OF? Bad range = slow right?

[Ruzious]

Yeah, I find it hard to believe he doesn't have the range to play 1B - especially if they think he does have the range to play the OF. And a year of playing 1B should take care of footwork issues there.

[hoosiers]

It's more than a little ridiculous to see those great stats quoted in the Hot Sheet and have this be Snyder's first mention there.

My six year old would say - Daddy, that's redonkulous.

[Frobby]

Bummed out to hear that very strong opinion of his defense. I mean, how hard is it to play 1B? This kid used to be a shortstop!

[Lucky Jim]

Bummed out to hear that very strong opinion of his defense. I mean, how hard is it to play 1B? This kid used to be a shortstop!

We'll see. There's a certain endowment effect w/ opinions. BA is quite obviously slow to give up their long-standing opinion that Snyder isn't much of a prospect. Which just goes to show, even respectable folks can have irrational biases.

Snyder deserves more than the qualified praise he's getting there - which basically lauds him on no longer having huge flaws. Seriously, there's not a single endorsement in there save for his stats.

BA makin' me mad!1!!!

[TyCobb]

Bummed out to hear that very strong opinion of his defense. I mean, how hard is it to play 1B? This kid used to be a shortstop!

I thought he was a Catcher?

[Lucky Jim]

In the chat, they essentially said that Snyder isn't even in the discussion as a top-10 1B.

[McLovin]

Kevin Millar and Aubrey Huff have awful range at 1B too.

So what, he's no Mark Texiera or Old#5Fan. I guess it would be nice if he had more range, but it's first freaking base.

[TyCobb]

Range at 1st base is something that can be learned. He still has lots of time to learn better positioning and reaction time.

[byrdz]

Hmm, according to BA he's defensively challenged and can rake.

Sounds like the prototypical first basemen to me.

[murrayfan420]

In the chat, they essentially said that Snyder isn't even in the discussion as a top-10 1B.

Not a top 10 1B in the minors?!