Kyle Snyder
| IP | 237 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.582 |
| WHIP | 1.553 |
| BB/9 | 3.228 |
| SO/9 | 5.962 |
- Full name Kyle Ehren Snyder
- Born 09/09/1977 in Houston, TX
- Profile Ht.: 6'8" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: S / Throws: R
- School North Carolina
- Debut 05/01/2003
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Drafted in the 1st round (7th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 1999 (signed for $2,100,000).
View Draft Report
Interest from scouts has been high for RHP Kyle Snyder, who has had an up-and-down spring, causing his stock to drop marginally. He should still be among the first 10 players drafted. Snyder shot to the top of the charts after one outstanding performance last summer in the Cape Cod League, when his fastball registered 96 mph and he showed masterful command of all his pitches. He did not reach that velocity this spring, settling for a high of 94, and he was more commonly in the 89-93 range. He was shut down briefly with triceps tendinitis. The 6-foot-8 Snyder pitches on a good downward plane and is a good athlete who excels at basketball and golf. He has never won consistently at any level. At his size, it has taken a little longer to get his body under control. He has an average curve, and lack of consistency with that pitch hurt his performance this spring. He also lost the feel of his changeup for a time. That was an outstanding pitch for him a year ago.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Snyder was the Northwest League's top prospect in his pro debut but pitched just two innings in the next two years. Coming back from Tommy John surgery in September 2000, he slowly worked his way back into form in 2002. Snyder has regained the velocity on his fastball, which sits between 90-94 mph, and he continues to throw on a tough downhill plane. His curveball, which rivals Gobble's, and changeup can be plus pitches. He throws strikes, and his outstanding makeup helped him battle through his injury adversity. Snyder should use his curveball and changeup more often. While rehabbing, he focused on tossing a few solid innings or working on a certain pitch, rather than winning games. He has yet to show he can handle higher pitch counts. Because of his elbow problems, Snyder no longer throws his splitter, which was a plus pitch. Snyder remains a wild card because of his health. He made encouraging progress in the AFL and seems to be regaining the form that made him a coveted prospect. He'll begin 2003 in Double-A. -
The seventh overall pick in the 1999 draft, Snyder was the Northwest League's No. 1 prospect in his pro debut. But he has worked just two regular season innings in the two years since, thanks to two elbow operations, which included Tommy John surgery in September 2000. He started to regain his stuff last fall in instructional league and looked good in a five-inning Arizona Fall League cameo. If Snyder's velocity comes back better than ever, as it has with many Tommy John survivors, look out. He threw 95-96 mph before he got hurt and 90-94 in the AFL. Far from a one-pitch guy, he also had a devastating changeup and a plus curveball. He has worked diligently during his rehabilitation, reinforcing Kansas City's belief that he has the best makeup among its pitching prospects. Snyder's comeback is far from complete. He has just 26 pro innings of experience and more elbow surgeries than victories (one). If he hadn't gotten hurt, Snyder might already have reached the majors. The Royals say they'll evaluate him in spring training before deciding where to send him for 2002. He'll be monitored carefully wherever he lands. -
Paul Faulk lived an area scout's dream in 1999, when he bagged three first-round picks in Mike MacDougal, Jimmy Gobble and Snyder. Snyder was ranked the No. 1 prospect last year in the Northwest League. In 2000, he didn't pitch until August because of a stress fracture in his elbow and an impinged nerve in his hand. When he returned, he worked two innings before blowing out his elbow, requiring Tommy John surgery. When healthy, Snyder had it all. Start with a classic pitcher's body and uncommon athleticism for his size. He had three quality pitches: a 95-96 mph fastball, a hard curveball and a devastating changeup. Some thought Snyder's curve was at the root of his elbow problems, which also included tendinitis in college. He may need to rework his breaking ball when he returns. Despite the successful track record for Tommy John patients, he still faces a long road back. Snyder could start throwing off a mound in August. He may not see any real action until instructional league. The Royals were cautious with him before he got hurt, and they'll take extra care now.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Snyder was an early candidate for the top pick in the 1999 draft but battled tendinitis all spring and saw his stock drop somewhat due to the health questions. As a result, the Royals put him on a strict 60-pitch limit during his seven starts for Spokane, but that was enough to showcase his tools. He was consistently at 93-94 mph with his fastball, topping out at 96. Snyder is a good athlete with extra long arms and legs, but he does more than just blow hitters off the plate with heat. He already throws an above-average changeup at times and showed a sharp curveball to Northwest League hitters. Unlike many tall young pitchers, Snyder has not shown a problem throwing strikes and keeping the ball down in the strike zone.
