ON Top 50 Prospects - #16: Brandon Snyder

ON Top 50 Prospects – #16: Brandon Snyder

Published by Jordan Tuwiner on March 30, 2011

Brandon Snyder rarely showed signs of being a first round draft pick during his first three years in the organization. Then, in 2008 with Frederick he posted an .848 OPS and looked to be on the verge of a breakout season. He made the jump to Bowie in 2009 where it appeared that breakout had finally happened in full. Snyder’s 1.018 OPS though 58 games in the Eastern League had some people calling him the Orioles’ first baseman of the future. His stellar play earned him a promotion to Norfolk where his performance went way downhill. He’s been on a decline ever since.

Originally drafted as a catcher, Snyder has moved from behind the plate, to third base, and now to first where he’s settled in nicely. The Orioles gave him some reps at catcher this past spring training, but I didn’t hear any reports on his defense. I doubt he sees any time there over the course of the season. At first base he’s above-average defensively. He’s athletic for his size and digs balls in the dirt well. He has mediocre range.

Snyder has a short, smooth, fluid, line drive swing and good timing. He has trouble with pitches on the inside of the plate where there’s a big hole in his swing. He needs to use his hands more and get through the zone faster. He’s a contact hitter who could hit 15-20 home runs as a starter, though most project him as a backup right now.

2011 will be a crucial year for Snyder as he tries to prove he’s still a legitimate first base prospect. He’ll return to Norfolk for the third year in a row.

Career Statistics

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Lev	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2005	18	Bluefield	APPY	Rk	44	180	144	26	39	8	0	8	35	7	2	28	36	.271	.380	.493	.873
2005	18	Aberdeen	NYPL	A-	8	31	28	4	11	2	0	0	6	0	0	2	7	.393	.419	.464	.884
2006	19	Aberdeen	NYPL	A-	34	131	124	14	29	8	1	1	11	2	1	5	43	.234	.267	.339	.606
2006	19	Delmarva	SALL	A	38	159	144	12	28	12	0	3	20	0	0	9	55	.194	.237	.340	.577
2007	20	Delmarva	SALL	A	118	501	448	63	127	23	3	11	58	0	2	44	107	.283	.354	.422	.776
2008	21	Frederick	CARL	A+	116	476	435	70	137	33	2	13	80	3	2	29	83	.315	.358	.490	.848
2009	22	Bowie	EL	AA	58	233	201	24	69	19	1	10	45	0	1	27	45	.343	.421	.597	1.018
2009	22	Norfolk	IL	AAA	73	297	262	36	65	18	2	2	43	3	1	24	64	.248	.316	.355	.671
2010	23	Aberdeen	NYPL	A-	3	13	13	2	3	1	0	1	4	0	0	0	2	.231	.231	.538	.769
2010	23	Norfolk	IL	AAA	98	376	339	36	87	22	1	9	43	4	1	28	101	.257	.324	.407	.732
6 Seasons					590	2397	2138	287	595	146	10	58	345	19	10	196	543	.278	.342	.437	.779