I liked the Travis Snider trade at the time but up to this point the photo above has been the highlight of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. But what a highlight it was!
Snider is a former top end prospect hoping to regain his form after what turned out to be an injury filled season even though we did not know about the injury for quite some time. Much of Snider's down season was blamed on an injured toe but his bat didn't come alive even after his return. But now he's in the "best shape of his life" and his injury is fully healed. He did put up an OPS of .799 last April prior to the injury so there is still hope that the one time stud prospect can turn around his career.
Snider enters the season in one of the few position battles in camp. With six out of the eight field positions pretty much decided it will come down to Jose Tabata and Travis Snider in right field. Of course keep in mind the Pirates no. 1 prospect is sitting there in AAA and it may not matter who is having a solid season come June. That job may be Gregory Polanco's. Here is what Steamers is projecting for Snider in 2014:
BA - .257
OBP - .323
SLG% - .423
Runs - 45
HR - 11
RBI - 45
SB - 7
PA - 396
So Steamers sees a rebound year and somewhat similar overall success as Tabata. Fewer plate appearances, lower OBP but with more power. So what do you think?