Travis Snider

Travis James Snider (born February 2, 1988) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. Nicknamed Lunchbox, he played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Baltimore Orioles.

Travis Snider
Snider with the Baltimore Orioles in 2015
Outfielder
Born: (1988-02-02) February 2, 1988
Kirkland, Washington, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
August 29, 2008, for the Toronto Blue Jays
Last MLB appearance
October 4, 2015, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
MLB statistics
Batting average.244
Home runs54
Runs batted in212
Teams

Amateur career

Snider played for the Mill Creek Little League team at 1999 Little League Western Regional Tournament in San Bernardino, California. He attended Henry M. Jackson High School, where he played as an outfielder for the baseball team and as a running back and linebacker in football.

Professional career

Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays selected Snider in the first round, with the 14th overall selection, of the 2006 MLB Draft.[1] Snider began his professional career in 2006 with the Pulaski Blue Jays in the Appalachian League. He excelled in his debut and ended up winning the Short Season Player of The Year honors for Appalachian League.

Snider with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats

In 2007, he was promoted to the Class A Lansing Lugnuts, he spent the whole season in Lansing and ranked among the league leaders in many hitting categories, including RBI (93, first), doubles (35, first), hits (143, T-third), home runs (16, T-fifth) and batting average (.313, fifth).[2][3] He represented Lansing in the 2007 Midwest League All-Star Game.[4]

Snider began the 2008 season with the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State League. Coming out of spring training he had suffered an injury to his throwing elbow so for the first portion of the season he was the team's designated hitter exclusively. Snider performed well in High-A and he was promoted to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Eastern League on May 21, 2008. Initially at Double-A, Snider struggled but as he regained his health and started to play in the outfield again he began hitting well. Snider won the Eastern League Home Run Derby with an impressive performance, hitting 10 home runs in the semifinals in front of a record crowd at the Fisher Cats stadium.[5] Snider was nicknamed "the Franchise" by New Hampshire Union Leader reporter Kevin Gray. On August 6, 2008, the Blue Jays promoted Snider to Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs of the International League. Snider continued to play well at Triple-A and would only play 18 games at that level before being promoted. Overall, in 133 combined minor league games, he batted .275 with 23 home runs and 91 RBI.[3]

2008–2010

Snider was promoted to the Toronto Blue Jays on August 29, 2008, and became the youngest position player in the majors. He made his debut later that day, playing left field and batting ninth at Yankee Stadium. Facing Carl Pavano, Snider lined out to shortstop in his first at-bat. He later doubled off Pavano for his first big-league hit.[6] On September 4, 2008, Snider launched his first career home run at Rogers Centre off Kevin Slowey of the Minnesota Twins, becoming the fourth-youngest Blue Jay to hit a home run.[7] After his first season with Toronto, he finished hitting .301 with two home runs and 13 RBI in 24 games.[8]

Baseball America ranked Snider sixth on their annual ranking of the best baseball prospects, moving him up five spots from the previous year's rankings.[9]

On April 6, 2009, Snider recorded a home run and double on Opening Day against the Detroit Tigers.[10] He had his first career two home run game on April 13, 2009, against the Minnesota Twins and became the youngest player in Blue Jays history to hit two home runs in a game.[11] He was sent back to Triple-A Las Vegas 51s in May, after a prolonged hitting slump,[12] but was recalled by the Blue Jays in August, going on to hit a home run in his first game back.[13]

On August 2, 2010, Snider became the first Blue Jays player since 1978 to hit two doubles in one inning against the New York Yankees (pitchers A. J. Burnett and Boone Logan). This was part of an AL record tying six doubles in an inning by the Blue Jays.[14]

2011

After opening the season with just a .184 batting average with a home run and 12 RBI through 25 games, Snider was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on April 28.[15] On July 3, he was recalled by the Blue Jays.[16] On the nights of July 8 and July 20, Snider had 5 RBI – a career best.[17][18]

Travis Snider in 2012

On August 4, Snider was optioned back to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room for Brett Lawrie.[19] He was diagnosed with tendinitis in his right wrist on August 25, ending his 2011 season.[20]

2012

Snider was a spring training invitee, but was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas before the end of spring. He was in competition with Eric Thames for the starting left field position. He was recalled to the Blue Jays on July 20.[21] Mid-game against the Seattle Mariners on July 30, Snider was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for pitcher Brad Lincoln.[22]

Pittsburgh Pirates

In 50 games with the Pirates to finish 2012, Snider hit .250 with a home run and 9 RBI.[8]

2013

Snider began 2013 in a platoon in right field with José Tábata, with Garrett Jones also getting occasional starts when he wasn't at first base. The platoon dissolved when Tábata went on the disabled list with a strained oblique, and Snider got most of the starts during Tábata's stint on the DL. To that point, Snider was hitting .252 with two home runs, 14 RBI and 31 strikeouts. After hitting .171 in June, Snider was relegated to a pinch-hitting role upon Tábata's return on July 3. On July 28, Snider was placed on the disabled list with discomfort in his left big toe, which had been bothering him for over a month.[23] Snider was activated from the disabled list when the rosters expanded on September 1, and was used in a pinch-hitting role to finish the season.[24] In 111 games (53 starts) in 2013, Snider hit .215/.281/.333 with five home runs and 25 RBI.[8]

2014

On June 18, 2014, Snider pitched the top of ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds. He allowed two runs, one hit, and two walks in that inning but managed to strike out Joey Votto.[25] Snider finished the 2014 season with a .264 average with 13 home runs and 38 RBI in 140 games.[8]

Baltimore Orioles

On January 27, 2015, Snider was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for minor league pitcher Stephen Tarpley and a player to be named later, eventually revealed as minor league pitcher Steven Brault.[26][27] He was designated for assignment on August 7,[28] and released on August 15.[29]

Second stint with the Pirates

On August 19, 2015, Snider signed a minor league deal to return to the Pirates.[30] He elected free agency on October 22.

Kansas City Royals

On January 30, 2016, Snider signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals, with an invitation to spring training.[31] He was released on March 30,[32] and re-signed to a minor league contract on April 1.[33] He was released on July 30, 2016.

Texas Rangers

On January 6, 2017, Snider signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.[34]

New York Mets

On August 15, 2017, the Rangers traded Snider to the New York Mets for cash.[35] In 17 games for the Triple–A Las Vegas 51s, Snider hit .308/.375/.415 with 1 home run and 8 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[36]

Long Island Ducks

On April 5, 2018, Snider signed with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[37] He became a free agent following the 2018 season.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On January 9, 2019, Snider signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[38] He elected free agency on November 7, 2019. On January 15, 2020, Snider re-signed with the Diamondbacks organization,[39] and was released on May 22 with having appeared in a game.[40]

Miami Marlins

On July 24, 2020, Snider signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins.[41] Snider did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[42] On August 27, Snider was released by the Marlins organization.[8]

Atlanta Braves

On February 23, 2021, Snider signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves organization.[43][44] Snider played in 63 games for the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves, hitting .174 with four home runs and 15 RBI.[3] On September 12, Snider was released by the Braves.[8]

Snider announced his retirement from professional baseball on January 13, 2022.[45]

Personal life

From Lynnwood, Washington,[46] Snider faced many challenges in his teen years. In a two-year span he had lost two grandparents, a coach, and a close friend. He then later lost his mother in an accident. Snider says this made his teen years tough but also helped him work hard to get to the major leagues.[47]

Awards
  • 2008 – Eastern League All-Star Team
  • 2008 – Eastern League Home Run Derby Champion
  • 2007 – Arizona Fall League All-Prospect Team
  • 2007 – AFL Rising Stars
  • 2007 – Baseball America Low Class A All-Star
  • 2007 – Baseball America Minor League All-Star
  • 2007 – Midwest League Post-Season All-Star
  • 2007 – MID Mid-Season All-Star
  • 2007 – MID Player of the Week
  • 2007 – MID Player of the Week
  • 2006 – Topps Short-Season/Rookie All-Star
  • 2006 – Topps APP Player of the Year
  • 2006 – Baseball America Rookie All-Star
  • 2006 – Topps APP Player of the Month
  • 2006 – Appalachian League Player of the Year
  • 2006 – APP Post-Season All-Star
  • 2006 – APP Player of the Week
  • 2006 – APP Player of the Week

See also

References
  1. "1st Round of the 2006 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  2. "2007 Midwest League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  3. "Travis Snider Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  4. "Midwest League Announces All-Star Rosters". OurSports Central. June 5, 2007. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  5. Hughson, Callum (July 22, 2008). "Travis Snider Wins Home Run Derby". Mop-Up Duty. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  6. Bastian, Jordan (August 29, 2008). "Snider gets his feet wet, but Jays fall". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2008. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  7. Bastian, Jordan (September 5, 2008). "Snider's blast helps polish Litsch's gem". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  8. "Travis Snider Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  9. "Top 100 Prospects: 1–20". Baseball America. February 24, 2009. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
  10. Bastian, Jordan (April 7, 2009). "Jays' young hitters lift Doc, sink Tigers". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2009. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  11. Bastian, Jordan (April 14, 2009). "Snider's two homers lead Jays to win". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 19, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  12. "Blue Jays make moves, call up LHP Janssen". ESPN. Associated Press. May 22, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  13. Bastian, Jordan (August 19, 2009). "Rallies can't compensate for Romero". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 24, 2009. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  14. "Blue Jays bombard Yanks in 5th as Alex Rodriguez misses on 600th HR again". ESPN. Associated Press. August 2, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  15. "Blue Jays send outfielder Snider down to Triple-A Las Vegas". TSN. The Canadian Press. April 28, 2011. Archived from the original on May 2, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  16. Lott, John (July 3, 2011). "Blue Jays recall Snider, cut Rivera". National Post. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  17. Sancetta, Amy (July 9, 2011). "Most Popular E-mail Newsletter". USA Today. Associated Press. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  18. "Brandon Morrow helps Blue Jays hand Mariners 11th straight loss". ESPN. Associated Press. July 20, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  19. Chisholm, Gregor (August 4, 2011). "Blue Jays call up top prospect Lawrie". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  20. "Blue Jays' Snider out 4-to-6 weeks with tendinitis". TSN. The Canadian Press. August 26, 2011. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  21. Davidi, Shi (July 20, 2012). "Big trade finally gives Jays' Snider his chance". Sportsnet. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  22. "Blue Jays trade OF Snider to Pirates for RHP Lincoln". TSN. Associated Press. July 31, 2012. Archived from the original on August 3, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  23. Wilmoth, Charlie (July 28, 2013). "Pirates place Travis Snider on DL, recall Tony Sanchez". Bucs Dugout. SB Nation. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  24. "Pirates activate outfielder Snider off of DL". Sportsnet. Associated Press. September 1, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  25. Brown, David (June 19, 2014). "Travis Snider (the outfielder) strikes out Joey Votto". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  26. "Pirates and Orioles make trade". Pittsburgh Pirates. MLB.com. January 27, 2015. Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  27. Connolly, Dan (January 27, 2015). "Orioles acquire outfielder Travis Snider in trade with Pirates". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  28. "Orioles recall OF Junior Lake from Triple-A Norfolk; designate OF Travis Snider for assignment". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. August 7, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  29. Connolly, Dan (August 15, 2015). "Orioles release Travis Snider, call up Henry Urrutia, option Junior Lake". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  30. Todd, Jeff (August 19, 2015). "Pirates To Sign Travis Snider To Minors Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  31. Dodd, Rustin (January 30, 2016). "Royals sign outfielder Travis Snider to a minor-league deal". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  32. Dodd, Rustin (March 30, 2016). "Royals release outfielder Travis Snider, re-sign reliever Peter Moylan to minor-league deal". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  33. Wilmoth, Charlie (April 1, 2016). "Royals Re-Sign Duensing, Barmes, Snider To Minor-League Deals". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  34. Adams, Steve (January 6, 2017). "Rangers, Travis Snider Agree To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  35. DiComo, Anthony (August 15, 2017). "Mets acquire Snider from Rangers". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  36. "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. November 7, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  37. "Eight-Year MLB Outfielder Snider Signed". Long Island Ducks. April 5, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  38. "Reno Aces on Twitter". Twitter. January 9, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  39. Adams, Steve (January 15, 2020). "Diamondbacks Sign Travis Snider To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  40. "Trio of former Jays among D-Backs cuts". TSN. June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  41. Todd, Jeff (July 24, 2020). "Marlins Place Jorge Alfaro On IL, Select Sean Rodriguez". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  42. "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  43. "Braves sign Travis Snider (Yes, Travis Snider) to minor league deal, per report". Talking Chop. SB Nation. February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  44. Byrne, Connor (February 23, 2021). "Minor MLB Transactions: 2/23/21". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  45. Bannon, Mitch (January 13, 2022). "Former Blue Jays Top Prospect Travis Snider Retires From Baseball". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  46. Andriesen, David (December 11, 2008). "Young outfielder Travis Snider is coming up fast, growing up faster". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  47. Stone, Larry (February 27, 2008). "Mill Creek's Travis Snider grows up fast in life and baseball". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 5, 2010.
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