Brian Snyder Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1512
AVG	.263
OBP	.386
SLG	.398
HR	34

Full name Brian Joseph Snyder
Born 03/17/1982 in Tampa, FL
Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Stetson
Drafted in the 1st round (26th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2003 (signed for $1,325,000).

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Snyder helped himself immensely in the Cape Cod League last summer, where he hit for average and power with wood bats. He also showed that he's more athletic than his stocky build (6 feet, 195 pounds) might indicate. As an encore, he has turned in a strong junior season in which he has walked nearly twice as much as he has struck out. That will appeal to teams that value statistical performance. Snyder has been linked to two such teams, the Blue Jays and Red Sox, as a possible first-rounder but more likely will last another round or two. He has gap power but perhaps not enough for a big league third baseman, which may prompt a move to second once he turns pro. He struggled at second base with Stetston this year before returning to the hot corner, where his reactions and instincts make him a better fit.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

The A's zeroed in on Conor Jackson in the 2003 draft, but they doubted he'd fall to them in the late first round and were proven correct when the Diamondbacks selected him 19th overall. Oakland was happy to land its second-favorite hitter, Brian Snyder, who already had proven his ability to hit with wood bats during a solid Cape Cod League showing in 2002. After a lackluster pro debut, he had a successful first full season, finishing second in the Midwest League in on-base percentage despite missing time with shoulder and hip injuries. Snyder is a natural hitter and the A's expect him to gain power with experience. Other than Nick Swisher and Daric Barton, he has the best plate discipline in the system. Snyder sets up very far off the plate, leaving him susceptible to pitches on the outer half. He gained upwards of 20 pounds during the season, and his lack of physical conditioning may have contributed to his health problems. The weight gain also led to questions about his work ethic and his ability to stay at third base. Whether he'll have enough pop for the hot corner also is uncertain. Snyder's offensive skills are obvious, but his other tools regressed in 2004. The A's hope he'll have learned from the season, allowing him to jump to Double-A this year.
After an All-America season at Stetson, Snyder projected to go as high as 13th overall to the Blue Jays in the 2003 draft. The A's were happy to get him with the 26th choice, making him the fourth recent Wellington (Fla.) Community High alumnus to go in the first round, joining Bobby Bradley (1999), Sean Burnett (2000) and Justin Pope (2001 after attending Central Florida). Most teams considered Snyder a second- or third-round talent, but Oakland loved his Atlantic Sun Conference-leading .505 on-base percentage. Though he had difficulty adjusting to pro ball at short-season Vancouver, the A's weren't concerned and said minor injuries were partly to blame. He hit well with wood bats in the Cape Cod League in 2002, and he made major progress in instructional league. Snyder has an excellent eye for drawing walks and hits for gap power, though he'll need to make more consistent contact. There are questions as to whether he'll have enough pop for the hot corner and where he fits best on the diamond. Though he's stocky, he's more athletic than he looks and second base could be a possibility. He didn't play well there at Stetson last spring, however, and showed better instincts and reactions at third base. His hands are good and his arm is adequate for the position. Snyder should reach high Class A by the end of 2004.