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Brandon Snyder has been here before, having signed on with the Washington Nationals back in 2017, 2019, and again this season in an attempt to catch on with a major league club to extend a six-year career in which he’s played just 122 games in the majors.
In 117 games and 458 plate appearances at Triple-A Fresno last season, the 33-year-old journeyman infielder/outfielder/catcher put up a .257/.314/.537 line with 24 doubles, 31 home runs, 26 walks, and 153 Ks.
The roster in the nation’s capital is crowded, however, so getting any opportunity to stand out during Spring Training is a positive, though it’s unlikely he will crack the 26-man come Opening Day.
On Sunday afternoon in West Palm Beach, FL, the veteran went 2 for 3 with the second of his two hits a walk-off single that scored backstop prospect Jakson Reetz from second to beat the Houston Astros.
“It’s huge,” Snyder told reporters after the 2-1 win in split-squad action in the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.
“Obviously I’ve been with these guys before. They know me, they know the type of player that I am, but any time you can go into a situation and have a good outcome, obviously is great, and it’s just nice to pull one out.”
Astros’ skipper Dusty Baker actually brought a right-hander on to face Snyder, who posted a .246/.306/.533 line vs righties last season at Triple-A, and a .277/.331/.546 vs lefties (though most of his power — 16 of 24 doubles and 21 of 31 homers were off right-hand pitchers), and Snyder came up with the big hit.
“Obviously want to face a lefty, that’s kind of my purpose,” Snyder said, “... but at the same time it shows a little bit of respect, they want to put a righty in to face me, and adds a little more to the pot, saying, ‘Hey you know let’s go get this right and try to put a good at bat together.’”
“He’s a professional,” skipper Davey Martinez told reporters, as quoted by MLB writer Jessica Camerato.
“He plays multiple positions. He had a good year last year at Triple-A, deserved to be here this year in camp. I like him. He swings the bat well.
As you see, he was very calm, very patient, he was able to put the ball in play.”
Snyder, who grew up and attended high school in Virginia, said after the win that he wanted an opportunity to play for the Nationals, and doing would mean a lot.
“Obviously getting a chance to play in D.C. is something that means a lot to me because being close to home would be absolutely amazing,” Snyder said, “but at this point I’m just so happy to be here and relaxed.
“Just having a good time and trying to get some knocks when I can.”