This as a weekly article running every Tuesday here at Roto Savants. I have gotten some questions about players, but if you have minor league drafts and want someone reviewed, let me know and I will put them at the top of the list.
Travis Snider - OF - Toronto Blue Jays
Injury and Health
Snider was slowed last year by a elbow injury that forced him to DH and caused a changed in his swing. He returned to the outfield though and put up good numbers in the remainder of the season. This could lead the Blue Jays to move him to DH to limit his throwing, but for now he could spend time in the outfield.
Skill Set
Snider, given the nickname "The Franchise", is another pure power hitter looking for a shot this year. The Scouting Book has labeled him as a potential 40 home run hitter. His power is still developing, but he could supply 20 home runs in 2009. He is only 21 so a further development in power is a good bet.
When it comes to his plate patience there is much to wish for with Snider. He has a K rate around 30% and his walks has had varying results. In 98 games at AA last year he had a BB% of 12.6%, but in AAA and the majors it was under 7%. To be successful with that high strikeout rate he will need a walk rate of at least 10%.
His BABIP has continually been near elite levels often over .400. In the majors with good defenses you can expect an elevated BABIP, but not that high. His BABIP is projected to be between .337-.357. He will have to maintain this level to hold an average around .260-.270 or his contact rate will drag his average down.
Here is a video of Snider in a homer derby.
Major League ETA
There is no time like the present for Snider. He got a short callup in September last year and looked ready to go. He is currently slated to start in the outfield and with Vernon Wells starting out injured this should be a sure thing. It would take a very poor spring to have him go back to AAA.
Conclusion and Advice
As you can see here I drafted Snider in the 21st round of the RotoSavants Prize League on Sunday night. He is my first bench spot filled and could easily fill in for any of my young outfielders if they struggle. I wouldn't go to high on him as his strikeout rate could easily lead to struggles, but if he is given enough ABs he'll be fine.
Minor League Talents - Travis Snider
.
Tuesday, March 3
2 comments:
Toronto already has a full outfield, but no one really to back them up, aside from Snyder. Wells and Rios aren't likely to move (at least when Wells is healthy again), so I guess that leaves Adam Lind. I like Lind as a possible sleeper this year, though on a fantasy team, he's just a back-up OF. Do you think Snyder will stay put at DH (considering they don't have that many better options) to rest his arm? Or is he better defensively than Lind? And who's going to place Center while Wells is out?
Lind has had two different seasons in the pros on defense. In 2007 in LF he saved 8.7 runs or almost a whole win. Then in 2008 he cost the team 5 runs or half a win.
Snider is not that much better, but we don't have much data. In just 20 games he saved 1.1 runs.
I think both are average or maybe minimally above average at best. Right now the depth charts on some sites list it Lind at DH and Snider in LF, but there is some possibility to get some time in LF.
Post a Comment