Monday Newsletter time: Nick Snyder another development success story in Texas Rangers' farm system
The right-hander debuted Saturday night with a sizzling ninth inning that lit up the radar gun.
Nick Snyder throws hard and he throw strikes. That usually plays pretty well in the major leagues.
It did Saturday night.
The Texas Rangers right-hander blew through the Boston Red Sox in his MLB debut to finish off a 10-1 victory. Both teams then hunkered down for Hurricane Henri, which had been downgraded to a Tropical Storm by sunrise Sunday but was still powerful enough to force the postponement of the series finale at Fenway Park.
The clubs will attempt to play the game Monday afternoon, which is probably a better alternative than the day off in Cleveland the Rangers had on their schedule.
Snyder should be available. He hasn’t pitched on back-to-back days this season, his first since Tommy John surgery, and he’s not going to pitch on consecutive days.
He lit up the radar gun Saturday, topping out at 101 mph. Some of that was adrenaline, but he has thrown in the upper 90s all season. More importantly, he throws a lot of strikes.
During his stint at Double A Frisco, he walked one batter and struck out 26. He’s been moving quickly after opening the season at High A Hickory. He has also taken pretty well to the mound after playing most shortstop in college.
“I tried to envision this before the season started, and it all seemed like pipe dreams,” he said. “As it’s gone on, it’s just like, ‘Holy cow.’ ”
It’s too early to anoint Snyder as a member of the bullpen the next six seasons. It was one outing in a low-leverage situation, but these are the kind of development breakthroughs the Rangers were seeking this season.
There have been others that haven’t (yet) resulted in a player making his MLB debut. Some have and needed to return to the minors. Some will either debut in the next month or next season.
But for all the heavy criticism directed at the big-league team’s development, the farm system’s development should be lauded. It hasn’t just been the top-30 prospects.
It’s been guys like Snyder, and a rebuilding team needs every one it can get.
Durrett tickets on sale today
For those wondering what they’re doing Oct. 23, here’s what: Do It For Durrett Rocks 2021.
Tickets for the foundation’s annual event go on sale today at 9 a.m. Legal Draft in Arlington has graciously offered to host the event, Cane Rosso is supplying the pizza, and Petty Theft (headed by Mike Rhyner) and Michael Gruber are supplying the tunes.
A general admission ticket costs $50 and includes a seat, the pizza and a t-shrit. A $75 VIP ticket includes a reserved seat, the pizza, a t-shirt and some free beer. Free beer!
There will also be a live auction and a silent auction, with all proceeds going to the foundation.
The Do It For Durrett Foundation offers financial assistance for families who have experienced the sudden loss of a parent. DIFD is named for former DFW sports media personality Richard Durrett, who died suddenly in 2015 and left behind a pregnant wife and two young children.
They’re doing great, but other area families are going through the tough times the Durretts endured. Help DIFD help them Oct. 23.
Click the Twitter embed below to reserve your tickets.
ICYMI …
The weekend is gone, darn it. Hope you had fun. Here is what happened at the Texas Rangers Newsletter in case you missed it. …
The Sunday read: Not many keepers.
Friday on the Farm: Under-the-radar prospects.
A podcast is coming! A podcast is coming!
Doggy video!
This little guy is learning just how great dogs are. Enjoy. See you Tuesday.