Sickels on Snyder

[Pat Kelly]

Grey Reviewed all of the 1B prospects here.

Brandon Snyder, Baltimore Orioles: Don't give up on the 13th overall pick in the 2005 draft just yet. He hit well at Double-A this year, but not so well at Triple-A. He can pick it at first, has a good approach and there's some power there, though his swing tends to get a little long. He could eventually stick as a fringe starter on a bad team. I have a 45 on him on the 20-80 scouting scale (backup level), but others have a 50 (starter quality).

It seems that there is a "process" underway with Snyder - one that has had several stages.

Stage One

Recover from early injuries and show he was healthy.

Stage Two

Settle on a new position and prove he could still hit

Stage Three

Once settled on 1B prove he can play it and then begin to be reevaluated as a first baseman. We are in stage 3 now with Brandon moving up the ranks with many guys still ahead of him...but last year at this time he wasn't really part of any of these conversations.

Stage Four

Have a great season at AAA and force the recognition and his way into the majors. If he exceeds expectations like Reimold then move from being considered a fringe 1B on a 2nd division team to a major league starting on a contending team.