When Travis Snider was quickly making his way through the minor leagues, scouts raved about his raw power. One of the more known scouting reports said he was “dripping with power.” Yet, in the Major Leagues, he has yet to produce the long ball. But that might be starting to change.
Snider was drafted out of high school by the Blue Jays. He hit double digit home runs in his first two minor league seasons. Then in 2008, he crushed 23 home runs between high A, AA, and AAA. This led to his major league debut. Yet, after struggling through parts of five seasons in Toronto, he was shipped to the Pirates last season for Brad Lincoln.
In his time with the Pirates last year, he was a decent hitter, but nothing great. He hit .250 with one home run and nine RBI in 50 games. But this season has been different. He started out of the gates hot and is maintaining a .273 batting average. He has 11 extra-base hits including nine doubles and two home runs. But the two home runs have come within five days of each other and both have been special.
On the 16th of this month, when the Buccos were hosting Milwaukee, Snider demolished a pitch from Hiram Burgos for a two-run homer that went 458 feet and bounced into the Allegheny. His second home run came last night. With the Pirates down 3-1 and the bases loaded, Clint Hurdle called on Snider to pinch-hit for Clint Barmes. It paid off when Snider barely cleared the right centerfield bleachers to give the Bucs a 5-3 lead.
If Snider is really starting to hit his stride power wise, it will be absolutely huge for the Pirates. It would give the team a third legitimate left handed power hitter. Imagine being an opposing pitcher and having to worry about Snider, Garret Jones, or Pedro Alverez taking you deep. Oh, and in the middle of those three lefties is Andrew McCutchen.
Even if Snider isn’t hitting his stride with the long ball, he still has been a great addition to this lineup. He is a quality left-handed bat that is batting .273 and plays great defense in right field. By the way, Lincoln is in AAA after going 0-1 with a 6.52 ERA in seven games with the Blue Jays.
Photo Credits: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
