Snyder out to have fun, turn heads

While it would be easy for some veterans to grumble, journeyman Chris Snyder is looking at the positives of starting the year in the Pacific Coast League.

Snyder was 4-for-4 with two homers and five RBIs as Triple-A Salt Lake defeated Reno, 6-4, on Thursday.

Snyder helped get the Bees on the board early, slugging a three-run homer in the first inning to give the club a 4-2 lead. Three innings later, the 32-year-old catcher struck again, going deep to open the fourth. After singling in the sixth, Snyder drove in the Bees' final run with an RBI single in the seventh.

"It was definitely a good night, especially to come away with a win," he said. "[The second homer] was a fastball, first pitch and I got enough of it to hit it out. I was looking to get on base and put good wood on it and I did."

A veteran of 706 Major League games, Snyder signed with the Angels on March 18 after being released by the Nationals. The Angels decided to send the 2002 second-round pick to the Minors, rather than have him serve as their backup. Snyder could have become a free agent instead but chose not to, instead reporting to Salt Lake. Snyder has very simple goals for his time in Triple-A.

"Play ball and have fun and that's what I'm doing right now," he said. "Catch when I'm catching, get my work in when I'm not playing."

The Texas native is certainly having fun with the Bees, batting .476 in seven games. Snyder has three homers, 11 RBIs and has an OPS of 1.447. Given the scarcity of offensive-minded catchers, one might assume that some teams would be paying attention to his early output. but Snyder is putting that out of his mind.

"I'm just going out to get my work in and whatever happens, happens," he said. "It's one of those things, someone out there is going to need a catcher. Being a catcher is a plus. I'm going to continue to focus on having fun."

"If I do get someone's attention, great, and if it opens a spot in the big leagues, great. If it happens here that's great too. I'm here to provide depth. Just go about my business and showcase what I can do."

With the win, the Bees improved to 5-2 this season. The team's strong start pleases Snyder more than his own.

"I think the biggest thing is that the team is off to a good start," he said. "We're feeding off each other, doing things right and that's why we're winning."

Teammate Luis Jimenez reached base twice and scored a pair of runs while Efren Navarro was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Kila Ka'aihue had two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs for the Aces.