Brandon Snyder is going through an adjustment period at AAA.
After 201 at-bats at Bowie, where Snyder had an OPS of 1.018, with a .343 batting average, 30 xbh’s, and 45 rbi; Snyder has struggled to a .221 batting average in his first 77 at-bats for Norfolk.
However, after watching the 22 year-old former 1st round-pick having hit in the Hawaiian Winter League, Carolina, Arizona Fall League, and Eastern Leagues, I am plenty comfortable with the idea that he will eventually start producing in the International League.
We all understand what is going on with Huff, and how that could lead to Snyder starting for the O’s at 1st base in 2010.
I can understand the team not wanting to add on to Snyder’s current pressures, and have him change position mid-season, but could he move back across the diamond after the year?
Maybe go to Winter Ball to work on 3rd, and have all of ST 2010 to help improve at the position?
Right now, you have to assume that the O’s will not pick up Mora’s 2010 option, and that Wigginton will start there next year. If you had Snyder taking over 3rd next year, you could committ to Scott taking over 1st. With Scott at 1st, you could have Reimold take over DH, and use Pie in LF (or CF).
This would leave you with a 2010 lineup of:
Roberts 2nd
Jones CF/LF
Markakis RF
Wieters C
Scott 1st
Reimold DH
Snyder 3rd
Pie LF/CF
Izturis SS
Wigginton, Zaun, Andino / Salazar, Montanez
In February, I posed the question of Snyder moving back to 3rd to O’s Player Development Director Dave Stockstill. http://baltimoresportsandlife.blogsp…tockstill.html
His response at the time was:
“Brandon Snyder has played some 3rd base at each level, including when he was at Bluefield. He continually works at 3rd base and played there a little in the Arizona Fall League this past fall. Our staff continually evaluates his progress at each position to find the best situation for him to become a productive player to help our major league team.”
By my count, there are currently 13 Major League 3rd-baseman with an OPS over .800, and 15 3rd-baseman with an OPS over .750. I think you could expect an OPS in the .750 range next year for Snyder.
To me, I would like to take a year, and see if he could be near league-average defensively at 3rd. With Snyder at 3rd, you could get the added benefit of seeing if Scott at 1st is a viable option, and get Pie’s athleticism and defense into the everyday lineup.
If Snyder clearly can not handle 3rd, it will be evident by the July 31st 2010 Non-Waiver deadline, and you could adjust then. (ie Snyder back to 1st, Scott either traded or back to DH, with Reimold back to LF, and Pie benched or traded).
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090312&content_id=3974374&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal
“It’s wherever I can help the team and wherever I can get in the lineup,” Snyder said. “I love playing third base, and it’s probably my favorite place to play, but if I can play first base in the big leagues, so be it. … I hope I do get a chance to play a little more third, but like I said, wherever I can make the lineup, that’s what I want to do.”
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