Baltimore Orioles: Adding Sniders and Snyders

Jul 3, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Brandon Snyder (23) bats during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

It is strange to have gone from seeing the Orioles on fire with their bats one day, to seeing the city of Baltimore literally on fire the next evening and a baseball game postponed. Who knows when we will hear word of what the Baltimore Orioles are going to do about playing the remaining games of this homestand. This is a significant problem.

Let’s try to talk some baseball.

The Orioles have reportedly facilitated a reunion with former #1 draft pick Brandon Snyder. He was the #13 overall selection 10 years ago out of a Virginia high school. I very clearly remember the hopes and enthusiasm surrounding the selection. He looked like the “can’t miss” type. But it never really worked out. Originally he was to be a catcher, though it was felt his better route to the majors was as a corner infielder.

The word seems to be that Snyder will be going to the Bowie Bay Sox on a minor league deal.

The primary first baseman for the Bay Sox this year has been soon-to-be 28-year-old Sean Halton who is batting .284. He hit .293 at AAA Nashville last year, and in 2013 played in a total of 42 games for the Brewers – going 24-for-101 for a .238 average.

Third base for Bowie has most frequently been held down by Jason Esposito, who is only batting .196. He was a 2^nd-round pick in 2011 and hit in the .270s at Frederick last year.

So this is another depth move for the Orioles that is not immediately obvious as to why it has much upside potential. It would seem that if it was going to happen for Snyder, it would have happened by now. Maybe the Birds are going for an all-Snyder/Snider team. He would be joining the current Travis Snider. They could bring back former Dodgers Hall of Fame player Duke Snyder and his .295 career average; he’s 88 years old right now.

Snyder only ever played in a total of 16 games for the Orioles in 2010 and 2011, all at first base. He was 9-for-33 for a .273 average. He also played some for Texas in 2012 and Boston in 2013. Snyder’s career numbers are .243 in 83 games with a total of five home runs.

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