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Snyder anxious for spring training
By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Like many kids, Brad Snyder spent part of his childhood collecting baseball cards. Now, Snyder finds himself on the same cards he used to cherish.
"It was weird at first to see myself on cards," Snyder said by cell phone while driving to spring training in Winter Haven, Fla. "It's just crazy. I see myself on an Upper Deck card or a Topps card - the same cards I used to collect as a kid. It's crazy, but cool, to see that people want cards of you."
The stock in Snyder's cards is high right now as baseball experts are expecting big things from the former Bellevue High School (Ohio) standout. Snyder, who played at Ball State University, was a first-round pick (18th overall) by the Cleveland Indians in 2003.
Snyder had a disappointing spring training a year ago when an eye infection sent the rookie home early. He never even got a taste of his first Major League camp.
The 6-3, 210-pound outfielder is excited about getting a second chance.
"I think, overall, I'm at a good spot," Snyder said. "I'm just glad I made a comeback and was able to play.
"Just being able to play baseball again is a good feeling. I'm anxious to get going."
Snyder is currently at an early camp with the Indians, while spring training officially starts Wednesday.
"I'm really anxious to get going," he said. "I'm excited."
Snyder has blossomed at the minor league level. After belting 27 homers, knocking in 118 runs and hitting .395 in two years at Ball State, he had six homers, 31 RBIs and hit .284 at Mahoning Valley in his first season at the professional level.
Starting out at Lake County in the 2004 season, Snyder had 10 homers, 54 RBIs and hit .280 in 79 games. He was then promoted to Kinston (North Carolina), where Snyder had five homers, 17 RBIs and hit .330 in helping lead the Indians to a Mills Cup championship.
"When I got promoted to Kinston, it was great," Snyder said. "It was a winning team and the attitude in the clubhouse was great. I felt like I was a part of something special.
"Helping them finish the season strong and winning the championship was one of the best moments of my career."
Snyder will likely start out the season back in Kinston, the Class A affiliate of the Indians.
"More than likely I'll start out there (in Kinston)," he said. "Right now, I'm scheduled to start there. I just have to play well wherever I'm at."
The K-Tribe will play a 12-game spring training schedule March 18-April 2. The Indians will face Carolina League rivals Myrtle Beach and Salem, while also taking on the Lakeland Tigers.
Kinston begins regular season play April 8 against Winston-Salem at Grainger Stadium.
Snyder got a jump start on spring training by attending a Winter Development Program with other top Tribe prospects in January. The program looks to hone the players' physical, mental and fundamental skills.
Players had classroom sessions with various members of the Indians' coaching staff, went through conditioning and listened to guest speakers.
"It was great," Snyder said. "I got to hang out with my teammates and friends. We worked one-on-one with coaches.
"Some great people spoke to us. The whole mental approach was great. The speakers they brought in, like Aaron Boone, John McDonald, Eric Snow of the Cavs, (head coach) Paul Silas of the Cavs and (Executive Vice President and General Manager) Mark Shapiro, were impressive. I was there for about four weeks and it was a great experience."
Snyder took a break from baseball after that, getting away to Costa Rica, but was anxious to get back to the game.
"I won some tickets to Costa Rica and went there for a little vacation," he said. "That was a blast. It was nice to go to Costa Rica, but I felt like I was getting behind. I'm excited to work out and get my swing going again."
Snyder knows he faces some tough competition, as the Indians are loaded with young, talented outfielders. Meanwhile, the Tribe recently signed Juan Gonzalez, a veteran outfielder with a big bat.
"Being an Indians' fan, it's good to see Juan back in the organization," Snyder said. "It doesn't bother me that I have to compete against him, too. I can't control that. I just have to take care of myself and play the best that I can.
"There are a lot of good outfielders here. That definitely will make me work harder. The competition makes you work harder and makes you perform better. Those elements will help me in my game."
Snyder is hoping to get to Jacobs Field, home of the Indians, as quickly as possible. It's not too far from where Snyder got his start, at Robert Peters Athletic Field in Bellevue, Ohio.
Snyder made a recent trip past the old park, where he hit a home run in his final at bat with the Redmen.
"It seems so small now," Snyder said with a laugh. "It's crazy going back there where I used to play. It definitely brings back some memories."
So do those baseball cards.
"It was weird at first to see myself on cards," Snyder said by cell phone while driving to spring training in Winter Haven, Fla. "It's just crazy. I see myself on an Upper Deck card or a Topps card - the same cards I used to collect as a kid. It's crazy, but cool, to see that people want cards of you."
The stock in Snyder's cards is high right now as baseball experts are expecting big things from the former Bellevue High School (Ohio) standout. Snyder, who played at Ball State University, was a first-round pick (18th overall) by the Cleveland Indians in 2003.
Snyder had a disappointing spring training a year ago when an eye infection sent the rookie home early. He never even got a taste of his first Major League camp.
The 6-3, 210-pound outfielder is excited about getting a second chance.
"I think, overall, I'm at a good spot," Snyder said. "I'm just glad I made a comeback and was able to play.
"Just being able to play baseball again is a good feeling. I'm anxious to get going."
Snyder is currently at an early camp with the Indians, while spring training officially starts Wednesday.
"I'm really anxious to get going," he said. "I'm excited."
Snyder has blossomed at the minor league level. After belting 27 homers, knocking in 118 runs and hitting .395 in two years at Ball State, he had six homers, 31 RBIs and hit .284 at Mahoning Valley in his first season at the professional level.
Starting out at Lake County in the 2004 season, Snyder had 10 homers, 54 RBIs and hit .280 in 79 games. He was then promoted to Kinston (North Carolina), where Snyder had five homers, 17 RBIs and hit .330 in helping lead the Indians to a Mills Cup championship.
"When I got promoted to Kinston, it was great," Snyder said. "It was a winning team and the attitude in the clubhouse was great. I felt like I was a part of something special.
"Helping them finish the season strong and winning the championship was one of the best moments of my career."
Snyder will likely start out the season back in Kinston, the Class A affiliate of the Indians.
"More than likely I'll start out there (in Kinston)," he said. "Right now, I'm scheduled to start there. I just have to play well wherever I'm at."
The K-Tribe will play a 12-game spring training schedule March 18-April 2. The Indians will face Carolina League rivals Myrtle Beach and Salem, while also taking on the Lakeland Tigers.
Kinston begins regular season play April 8 against Winston-Salem at Grainger Stadium.
Snyder got a jump start on spring training by attending a Winter Development Program with other top Tribe prospects in January. The program looks to hone the players' physical, mental and fundamental skills.
Players had classroom sessions with various members of the Indians' coaching staff, went through conditioning and listened to guest speakers.
"It was great," Snyder said. "I got to hang out with my teammates and friends. We worked one-on-one with coaches.
"Some great people spoke to us. The whole mental approach was great. The speakers they brought in, like Aaron Boone, John McDonald, Eric Snow of the Cavs, (head coach) Paul Silas of the Cavs and (Executive Vice President and General Manager) Mark Shapiro, were impressive. I was there for about four weeks and it was a great experience."
Snyder took a break from baseball after that, getting away to Costa Rica, but was anxious to get back to the game.
"I won some tickets to Costa Rica and went there for a little vacation," he said. "That was a blast. It was nice to go to Costa Rica, but I felt like I was getting behind. I'm excited to work out and get my swing going again."
Snyder knows he faces some tough competition, as the Indians are loaded with young, talented outfielders. Meanwhile, the Tribe recently signed Juan Gonzalez, a veteran outfielder with a big bat.
"Being an Indians' fan, it's good to see Juan back in the organization," Snyder said. "It doesn't bother me that I have to compete against him, too. I can't control that. I just have to take care of myself and play the best that I can.
"There are a lot of good outfielders here. That definitely will make me work harder. The competition makes you work harder and makes you perform better. Those elements will help me in my game."
Snyder is hoping to get to Jacobs Field, home of the Indians, as quickly as possible. It's not too far from where Snyder got his start, at Robert Peters Athletic Field in Bellevue, Ohio.
Snyder made a recent trip past the old park, where he hit a home run in his final at bat with the Redmen.
"It seems so small now," Snyder said with a laugh. "It's crazy going back there where I used to play. It definitely brings back some memories."
So do those baseball cards.
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