Chris Snelling
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Washington Nationals — No. -- | |
| Outfielder | |
| Bats: Left | Throws: Left |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
|---|---|
| May 25, 2002 for the Seattle Mariners | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through July 4, 2006) |
|
| Hits | 28 |
| Home runs | 4 |
| Batting average | .283 |
Christopher Doyle Snelling is an outfielder for the Washington Nationals baseball team. He was born in North Miami, Florida December 3, 1981 but grew up in Australia and is considered a native Aussie.
Chris Snelling was signed as amateur free agent out of Australia by the Seattle Mariners on March 2, 1999. He quickly established himself as the franchise's top position prospect in the system. He was often compared to Lenny Dykstra due to his aggressive play and inability to stay healthy. He made it to the big leagues in 2002 but during a baserunning mishap tore his ACL in his left knee. Since then his status as the top prospect has fallen as he has had difficulty staying healthy.
He was recently called up, and has played to the potential he showed in the minor leagues. He has posted a .364 average, .442 on-base percentage and a 659 slugging percentage, mainly in the number two spot, through 15 games.
Baseball America named him the 7th best prospect on the Mariners in their latest Prospect Handbook.
He represented Australia at the 2000 summer olympics.
At a Mariner fan blog called USS Mariner, Chris Snelling has been dubbed "Doyle" (his middle name) in hopes of driving off the injury curse that has plagued him.
[edit] Trade to the Washington Nationals
On the night of December 13th, 2006 the Washington Post reported that Snelling and Mariners pitching prospect Emiliano Fruto would be traded to the Washington Nationals for veteran second baseman Jose Vidro. The trade is pending a physical examination of Vidro.
