Brad Snyder

Brad Snyder - Outfielder
Age: 25 Height: 6'3" Weight: 200 Bats: Left Throws: Left

	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	OBP	SLG	OPS
2007 Buffalo	.263	86	259	41	68	12	3	10	35	36	91	12	.355	.448	.803
Career	.279	524	1934	343	540	104	27	72	295	249	595	78	.366	.473	.809

History: Snyder is a former first round pick of the Indians in the 2003 Draft out of Ball State University. At Ball State, Snyder was named the Mid American Conference Player of the Year in 2003 leading the league in doubles (25), walks (49), total bases (154), and slugging percentage (.770), and ranked second in runs (68), RBI (61), and on-base percentage (.522). In three seasons at Ball State, Snyder hit a combined .378 (211-558).

Strengths & Opportunities: Snyder's compact stroke generates excellent bat speed, and he has very good power to all fields. His swing is geared for pitches in the zone, and when he stays within himself he hits almost everything hard. Snyder has good speed, which plays up due to his very good instincts on the basepaths. Snyder has mostly played center-field during his time with the Indians, but his power bat and plus arm project him as a major league right-fielder. Snyder's athleticism is a big strength. His power/speed combination is salivating, and except for last season he has played well at each stop in the minors and is already at Triple-A. He has the potential to be a Jeromy Burnitz type player with more speed, or even an outfield version of Howard Johnson.

Snyder had eye surgery last offseason, and with some of the adjustments at the plate the Indians implemented, many (including me) felt that he could improve on his high strikeout rate in the minors. In 2006, Snyder set an Akron record with 158 strikeouts and struck out once every 3.3 at bats. But, last year in Buffalo his strikeout rate increased to once every 2.8 at bats. On top of that, his power and batting average slipped considerably. With his lack of discipline, he is still very susceptible to high and outside pitches and pitches in the dirt.

While there are always concerns when a player does not play up to par, the Indians are not overly concerned with Snyder. The Indians made some adjustments with Snyder's stance at the plate during the season last year and in the offseason to get him to stand over the ball more and get his head out over the plate. He has adapted well with the new approach and looked real good in the Fall Development Program (FDP) and looked 100% recovered from a broken right thumb that sidelined him the last month or so of the season.

Outlook: I have been one of the biggest supporters of Snyder the past few years as I love his all around game with power, defense, speed, athleticism, and hustle. But, Snyder's once promising professional career took a turn in the wrong direction in 2007 when he had a forgettable season at Buffalo. Still, it is a little too early to completely cast him aside, but his poor showing in 2007, strikeout rate, and erratic hitting is what caused him to tumble on this list so much from last year. The Indians expect him to have a big year in 2008 when he returns to Buffalo for another season, and it could be a make or break year for Snyder.

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