Snyder eager to get started with O's
BALTIMORE -- Brandon Snyder attempted to get over the surreal feeling of shagging fly balls with Miguel Tejada and taking batting practice with Sammy Sosa and B.J. Surhoff enough to speak at a press conference on Monday announcing his signing.
The Orioles' first-round pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft officially joined the organization as he signed a contract in the range of $1.6 million to hopefully become the Orioles' catcher of the future.
Snyder, 18, will report to Class A Bluefield, and he is eager to get started.
"Right now, I am in disbelief," Snyder said. "The first part of my day was me rubbing elbows with Sammy Sosa, and that was not too bad. And I was on the field next to Miguel Tejada. They told me, 'You are a pro baseball player now; you are just a few levels below where we are.'"
The organization was thrilled to get Snyder, one of the draft's most gifted high school hitters with the potential to be an above-average catcher. He hit .547 with three homers at Westfield High School in Centreville, Va., and he turned down a scholarship offer to Louisiana State to sign with the Orioles.
"I would suggest Louisiana State to any player coming out, but as soon I was in the first round, I knew I would be coming here," Snyder said. "That day was amazing. I couldn't breathe when I got the call that it was the Orioles."
Snyder spent extensive time with Orioles area scout Ty Brown, who said he was equally as impressed with Snyder's character and desire as his talent.
"The difference between him and other kids was character," Brown said. "I saw one kid, and he seemed happy to be where he was. Brandon wants to do whatever it takes to be successful."
Snyder was joined by his parents, Linda and Brian, a former Major League pitcher, and several family members. When he was whipping balls around Camden Yards, including three home runs, he had about 60 family members and friends cheering him on.
"To me, having all of these people behind me means a lot," he said. "I am just anxious to get started and begin my career."
Snyder said he would like to make it to the Major Leagues in five years, which would put him in Baltimore by age 23. But with the way the club has promoted prospects over the past few years, it could be much sooner.
"I just want to get better and work as hard as I can to accomplish my goals," Snyder said. "I am excited about the opportunity that I have, and want to take advantage of it."
Source: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/
The Orioles' first-round pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft officially joined the organization as he signed a contract in the range of $1.6 million to hopefully become the Orioles' catcher of the future.
Snyder, 18, will report to Class A Bluefield, and he is eager to get started.
"Right now, I am in disbelief," Snyder said. "The first part of my day was me rubbing elbows with Sammy Sosa, and that was not too bad. And I was on the field next to Miguel Tejada. They told me, 'You are a pro baseball player now; you are just a few levels below where we are.'"
The organization was thrilled to get Snyder, one of the draft's most gifted high school hitters with the potential to be an above-average catcher. He hit .547 with three homers at Westfield High School in Centreville, Va., and he turned down a scholarship offer to Louisiana State to sign with the Orioles.
"I would suggest Louisiana State to any player coming out, but as soon I was in the first round, I knew I would be coming here," Snyder said. "That day was amazing. I couldn't breathe when I got the call that it was the Orioles."
Snyder spent extensive time with Orioles area scout Ty Brown, who said he was equally as impressed with Snyder's character and desire as his talent.
"The difference between him and other kids was character," Brown said. "I saw one kid, and he seemed happy to be where he was. Brandon wants to do whatever it takes to be successful."
Snyder was joined by his parents, Linda and Brian, a former Major League pitcher, and several family members. When he was whipping balls around Camden Yards, including three home runs, he had about 60 family members and friends cheering him on.
"To me, having all of these people behind me means a lot," he said. "I am just anxious to get started and begin my career."
Snyder said he would like to make it to the Major Leagues in five years, which would put him in Baltimore by age 23. But with the way the club has promoted prospects over the past few years, it could be much sooner.
"I just want to get better and work as hard as I can to accomplish my goals," Snyder said. "I am excited about the opportunity that I have, and want to take advantage of it."
Source: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/
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