Orioles' Brandon Snyder One Step Closer to the Show

In the plan to rebuild the Orioles farm system laid out more than a year ago, Andy MacPhail stated that they would be cautious with their top prospects (unlike his predecessors) and that they would only promote players who they felt had truly earned it.

This philosophy was questioned countless times as O's fans watched Nolan Reimold tear apart the Eastern League last season AND the Grapefruit League this spring.

The grumbling grew louder with each start Chris Tillman made for AA Bowie last year, and it just about culminated when Matt Wieters tore the cover off the ball at every stop last year, seriously warranting a look as a September call-up.

All the while, though, in spite of the fans, MacPhail stood true to his goal: to let his players develop at a natural pace, not at a forced one. 

This year, it appears MacPhail is actually walking the walk to his talk.

Reimold finally got the call after raking International League pitching. Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta, Troy Patton and even Tim Bascom all received well-deserved promotions, and finally...finally first baseman of the future Brandon Snyder has been promoted to AAA Norfolk.

The word is still "unofficial," but it has become about as "official" as "unofficial" can get. 

Snyder has done nothing but deserve this move. The organization justified keeping him down at Bowie for this long based on "concerns about his defense," but why stunt the kid's growth at the plate by making him take 100 groundballs at first each day.

For the record, Snyder has hit .343 at Bowie, good for second in the league. His OPS is through the roof, at an astounding 1.018 that easily paces the circuit. He also ranks third in doubles (19), tied for fourth in home runs (10), and is two RBI off the league lead with 45. Not bad for a 22-year old.

Whenever Snyder makes his debut, he will become the youngest position player to play for the Tides this year, taking that title away from Matt Wieters.

It has been quite a whirlwind few years for Snyder, who three years ago was on his way to being considered a bust.

Remember, the O's tabbed Snyder, then a catcher, with the 13th pick in the 2005 draft, passing on names like Chris Volstad, Jacoby Ellsbury, Matt Garza, and Colby Rasmus to name a few.

After a stellar debut in which he hit eight home runs for Bluefield before being promoted to Aberdeen, where he hit .393 in eight games, the sky seemed the limit for Snyder. 

Then came 2006, where Snyder suffered numerous nagging injuries and two position changes. The wheels came off and he never gained any momentum, finishing the season back down at Aberdeen. On the season, he put together a .228 line at Aberdeen and a .194 clip at Delmarva.

Snyder worked his butt off, however, and experienced a rebirth in 2007, where he finished the season on a tear at Delmarva, earning organizational comeback player of the year honors.

He built upon that success and last year was named the organization's hitter of the year, setting career highs in batting average, home runs, RBI, runs scored and doubles along the way. Snyder then took his game to the Arizona Fall League, where he led the circuit in batting.

All that led to this year, where Snyder even earned a ticket to spring training with the big league club and held his own in the batter's box.

Now, the catcher-turned-third baseman-turned-first baseman is on his way to Norfolk, and one step closer to Baltimore.

And with a deadline trade of Aubrey Huff a legitimate possibility, Snyder could actually see time with the club this year.

But, let's not get greedy.