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2008 Snyder chose the right time to get hot, picking things up in July just as Bob Melvin was becoming frustrated with Miguel Montero, the other half of the Diamonback's catching duo. That fortuitous timing helped Snyder gain Melvin's confidence and a larger share of the catching timeshare. Snyder has matured into a smooth and strong-armed receiver behind the plate, but he could still use the platoon support when stepping up to it. Then again, you can't wait around to find a star at every position, and the offensive standard is so low among NL backstops (they averaged .256/.318/.394 in 2007) that it's worth giving Snyder a chance to close the gap in his splits. 2007 Snyder`s 2006 season looks pretty mediocre, but keep in mind that it represented a huge step forward from 2005, when he looked totally overmatched at the plate. He knows the strike zone, and is a good defender, but if he`s going to be the short side of a platoon, he could stand to be more of a lefty-masher. Because of his catch-and-throw skills (shooting down 38 percent of runners), he might force more of a job-sharing arrangement with Montero. 2006 Ladies and gentlemen, your 2005 negative VORP leader for the D-Backs. It takes a mighty modest line to be considered a league average offensive catcher these days, but Snyder came nowhere near it. In his case, "Catcher of the Future" sounds more like a premise for a bad science fiction story than a career projection. That vague shape he sees in his rear view mirror is Miguel Montero, and in front of him is the brick wall erected after Arizona picked up Johnny Estrada from the Braves this winter. 2005 Catching prospect, and a pretty reasonable one. Snyder's got power and projects to gain more of it, he plays credible defense, and can draw some walks. He's going to get a shot to earn a spot and some playing time, and if he gets it, he could develop into a championship-caliber catcher.
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