Earl Snyder

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #21 prospect in 2003
  Boston won't get Jeff Bagwell back, but it did land the second-best corner infielder out of the University of Hartford when it claimed Snyder off waivers from the Indians. Snyder, who broke several of Bagwell's school records, won two team MVP awards and one organization player-of-the-year honor in his three full seasons with the Mets. New York sent him to Cleveland in the Roberto Alomar trade before the 2002 season. Snyder's best attribute is his power, and he never has hit fewer than 20 homers in any of his four full seasons. He hits for a decent average and draws a few walks but doesn't stand out in either category. The same is true of his work on the bases and in the field, where he has played first base, third base and the corner outfield spots in the minors. The Red Sox will evaluate him in spring training, and though his role with the organization was unclear after he was designated for assignment, he could at least be a good Triple-A insurance policy.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #28 prospect in 2002
  Snyder was named Mets minor league player of the year in 2001 before joining the Indians as part of the Roberto Alomar trade. A 36th-round pick out of the University of Hartford--which also produced another first baseman named Jeff Bagwell--Snyder is a classic overachiever who has succeeded at every level. He has hit at least 20 homers in each of the last three seasons, and last year he improved his strike-zone judgment. He's not an exceptional first baseman, but he's not bad either. He also has seen time at third base and in the corner outfield positions. Before trading him, New York officials compared Snyder to Benny Agbayani in the way he exceeded expectations. Snyder should spend most of this season in Triple-A.