The Giants did not get Minnesota's Tom Windle, but maybe the next best thing for a relative bargain in the ninth round. I umpired a game in Antioch back in April 2010 where Antioch played Snelten's team and my partner decided to let me do the plate. I knew they had Snelten and another fairly highly regarded RHP prospect on their staff, so walking up to the field I look to their pen to see who is warming up and it's a lefty popping the mitt with a loud, distinctive cracking sound, so I figured it was him. A couple of radar guns behind the fence confirmed my suspicion.
I'm used to seeing some low to mid 80's stuff, no big deal. But the difference between that and the low-90's he was throwing at the time is a big deal. I remember sizing up the catcher to make sure he was competent thinking to myself that a direct shot would go right through me, leaving a baseball sized bullet-hole.
Turns out the catcher was VERY competent, thank God, nothing gets close to me and it was a great pitchers duel which, if my notes are correct, Antioch won on a walk-off HR in the bottom of the seventh against the other prospect who came in relief in the seventh. One pitch, not coming back, everybody drive home safely.
Anyway, from my vantage point he was a very good prospect with great stuff then and he's probably a better prospect now. From the U's roster info, it seems like he's put on some size since HS which is to be expected.
A very nice pick-up for the Giants if he signs as anticipated. It's always good to see some deserving IL players get a shot. I suppose he could go back to school, be the ace of the staff with Windle gone and see if he elevates higher, but why risk it? At this spot, he's going to get a decent look and some decent money for the effort.
from the StarTribune.com
U's Snelten taken in ninth round by San Francisco | StarTribune.com:
Scouting report on Snelten from MLB.com:
Pitching behind potential first-rounder Tom Windle in the Minnesota Golden Gophers' rotation, Snelten, a left-hander, has made it worthwhile for scouts to stick around to see him pitch. Snelten's fastball sits in the low-90s and he regularly touches 94 mph. His curveball and changeup both need work, but with some improvement he could have a solid Major League arsenal. He attacks hitters and has good poise on the mound. Snelten is more athletic than his 6-foot-7, 230-pound frame might suggest. He profiles as a starter as a professional. Snelten missed the first month of the season with an elbow injury, but has been healthy since returning in March.
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