masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgFor Brandon Snyder, the path to the Major Leagues has not been an easy or smooth ride.

He dealt with a position move to catcher and injuries early in his minor league career. Then the last two years he has been unable to put up consistent numbers at Triple-A.

Despite all that, the Orioles have seen other times in the minors when Snyder showed a solid bat and consistent gap-to-gap power.

The drive and passion for the game, “want to” as Buck Showalter calls it, has always been there from…For Brandon Snyder, the path to the Major Leagues has not been an easy or smooth ride.

He dealt with a position move to catcher and injuries early in his minor league career. Then the last two years he has been unable to put up consistent numbers at Triple-A.

Despite all that, the Orioles have seen other times in the minors when Snyder showed a solid bat and consistent gap-to-gap power.

The drive and passion for the game, “want to” as Buck Showalter calls it, has always been there from Snyder, the club’s top draft pick in 2005.

Just as some fans are pondering whether Joe Mahoney will pass him by as the organization’s top first base prospect, Snyder has gotten a chance and delivered at the plate this weekend in Toronto.

In his first 20 games with the Orioles, he got only seven at bats. He has had nine the last two days.

Snyder is 3 for 9 with two doubles and 2 RBI vs. the Blue Jays. He has gotten the start vs. lefties Brett Cecil and Ricky Romero.

Snyder hit .353 with an OPS of 1.034 vs. left-handers this season at Norfolk. So far with the Orioles he is 4 for 9 vs. lefties and 0 for 7 vs. right-handed pitching.

He has also made several nice plays on defense. It’s for sure a small sample size, but Snyder has not looked over-matched or hesitant at all. He says he feels like he belongs in the Majors and is trying to prove it whenever he gets that chance.

Click here for an earlier interview with Snyder where he talked about his September callup and trying to stay ready when he was not playing every day.

Click here for Jim Hunter’s on camera interview with Snyder from O’s XTRA that was in our media lounge.