Toronto Sun: Clock ticking on Jays' Snider

[MGD24]

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/02/17/clock-ticking-on-jays-snider

Now entering his fifth big-league training camp, you have to wonder if the clock is not ticking on his status as a prospect.

“I wouldn’t put that kind of emphasis on it,” said manager John Farrell. “He’s very well aware of the kind of competition he and Eric are going to be in for the majority of the everyday at-bats. Travis is still a multi-talented player seeking consistent production at the big league level and we’re going to give him that opportunity.”

“Most important thing I’m trying to do is to get back to using my hands,” said Snider. “Last year I struggled a lot with different stances and trying different things and not being able to find what it takes to be a great hitter. To me, that is explosive hands. That’s been the No. 1 focus for me this off-season: strengthening my wrists and forearms and working on some mechanics that I had ironed out at the triple-A level before I got hurt.”

[hyper316]

just turned 24, still has a chance to turn it around but i doubt it.

[Wo1verine]

If Snider is going to take the next step as a player, i think it's going to be with another ball club. The organization has jerked him around too much, he needs to play for someone where he can play through his struggles because he's proved all he can in the minors.

[tiger7]

Would rather go with Thames and trade Snider.

[Relentless88]

The competition for the LF spot between Snider and Thames in spring training will be interesting to follow. I'm still not ready to give up on Snider.

[Lateral Quicks]

I'm rooting for Snider.

And allow me to say that if Ben Francisco or Rajai Davis is starting in LF come opening day, and there hasn't been a trade or injury, I'll be very upset. Hopefully the days of putting up with mediocre veterans starting (like Rivera, Patterson, etc. last year) is long gone for this team.

[Back2back2back]

Would rather go with Thames and trade Snider.

+1

[Al_Oliver]

The competition for the LF spot between Snider and Thames in spring training will be interesting to follow. I'm still not ready to give up on Snider.

Definitely this. Hopefully Snider puts it together this year.
If he does figure it out, we are a significantly better team.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

The competition for the LF spot between Snider and Thames in spring training will be interesting to follow. I'm still not ready to give up on Snider.

Definitely this. Hopefully Snider puts it together this year.
If he does figure it out, we are a significantly better team.

Agreed. Snider's upside is just so much higher than Thames', it would be great to see him put it all together. I like Thames well enough, but it will be tough watching him look lost out in the field all season.

[SharoneWright]

Would rather go with Thames and trade Snider.

+1

-1000

Snider "could" be a starter on a championship level club, Thames "could" not. Ever.

[flatjacket1]

Would rather go with Thames and trade Snider.

+1

-1000

Snider "could" be a starter on a championship level club, Thames "could" not. Ever.

Just like Bautista could never be anything more than a scrub player? Never rule players out, especially ones with successful rookie campaigns.

Your basing that off like a year and four months separation between their ages. Age means a lot but then again it doesn't decide careers. You can't say Jason Heyward is better than Pujols because he is younger.

[hyper316]

thames got lucky batting in front of bautista. if snider can pull it together, i would prefer snider because of better OF defense (i'm going by what i see on the field, no advance stats)

ideally i would like escobar batting in the 2-hole. escobar has high OBP, would only go even higher in front of bautista. escobar is not a running threat, so keep that runner on 1B so bautista doesn't get IBB.

[Hoopstarr]

The progression of Snidermania

This kid is 19!
He's only 20!
He's only 21.
He's still only 22.
Hmm, he's 23?
Oh, ****, he's 24!? *Chad on Chappelle's Real World sketch masturbating/crying in the dark*

[s e n s i]

The progression of Snidermania

This kid is 19!
He's only 20!
He's only 21.
He's still only 22.
Hmm, he's 23?
Oh, ****, he's 24!? *Chad on Chappelle's Real World sketch masturbating/crying in the dark*

keep doin whatcha doin white boy...

[Back2back2back]

The progression of Snidermania

This kid is 19!
He's only 20!
He's only 21.
He's still only 22.
Hmm, he's 23?
Oh, ****, he's 24!? *Chad on Chappelle's Real World sketch masturbating/crying in the dark*

[LBJSeizedMyID]

Exactly the reason why I hate rushing prospects to the majors.

[SharoneWright]

Would rather go with Thames and trade Snider.

+1

-1000

Snider "could" be a starter on a championship level club, Thames "could" not. Ever.

Just like Bautista could never be anything more than a scrub player? Never rule players out, especially ones with successful rookie campaigns.

LOL. Thames could be another Jose Bautista.... because they both had successful rookie campaigns (hey, wait a second..).. so that's why we should trade Travis Snider. Got it.

[flatjacket1]

thames got lucky batting in front of bautista. if snider can pull it together, i would prefer snider because of better OF defense (i'm going by what i see on the field, no advance stats)

ideally i would like escobar batting in the 2-hole. escobar has high OBP, would only go even higher in front of bautista. escobar is not a running threat, so keep that runner on 1B so bautista doesn't get IBB.

He actually had a better average and OBP batting 7th, not 2nd. Travis Snider has seen a higher % of fastballs over his career than Thames did last year.

Thames batting 2nd helping his stats isn't actually true. He saw just as many breaking balls as everybody else.

Snider is a much better defender.

[flatjacket1]

LOL. Thames could be another Jose Bautista.... because they both had successful rookie campaigns (hey, wait a second..).. so that's why we should trade Travis Snider. Got it.

Your right, all players that are labeled as scrubs and bench players can't succeed in the MLB. Got it.

I never said we should trade Snider. That's an informal fallacy, stop misrepresenting my point it's only making you look silly.

I'm of the belief we should hand the starting job to the better LF, which will be decided in spring training. You seem to be of the belief that we should give Snider the starting gig because he has more "potential".

[Al_Oliver]

Exactly the reason why I hate rushing prospects to the majors.

I think the "yo-yoing" was worse. Nothing wrong with giving a kid a taste of the big leagues, but you need to give them some stability at one level or another.