Snyder listed the invitation to spring training as the greatest accomplishment to this point in his professional career.

“Getting a chance to go to big-league camp meant a lot to me,” Snyder said. “With this organization being on the other coast [of Florida] and ... not being able to have as many [younger] guys in the clubhouse, it’s tough to get a spot over there.”

“It was just an awesome experience. I learned so much from being around those guys. It makes you understand what you play for,” he added.

Snyder played extremely well in his first professional season, hitting .291 with eight home runs and 41 RBIs in 52 games while splitting time between the rookie-level Bluefield Orioles and short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds in 2005.

Two separate shoulder injuries caused Snyder’s career to spiral into a level of uncertainty, however, during the 2006 season. Snyder dislocated his right shoulder and suffered a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder, which limited him to 72 games that year.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound catcher batted .213 with four home runs and 31 RBIs with the IronBirds and Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds in 2006. Snyder committed 12 errors and allowed 20 passed balls in 51 games behind the plate, which prompted some Orioles fans to label him as a bust.

After recovering from the rotator cuff surgery, Snyder’s career started to turn in another direction when the Orioles shifted him to first base.

“Since [2005], it’s seemed like such a long road,” Snyder said. “I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’ve grown up in the last two years more than I ever have.”

With the Shorebirds in 2007 – Snyder’s first season as a first baseman – he hit .283 with 11 home runs and 58 RBIs in 118 games.

Last year, as a member of the Single-A Frederick Keys, Snyder finished second in the Carolina League with a .315 batting average. He hit 13 home runs and collected 80 RBIs in 116 games during the 2008 season.

It’s important to understand your strengths and weaknesses and focus on playing the game, according to Snyder.

“[Sometimes] in the last couple years, I always tried to do too much and pick everyone else up, when really it’s just about [being yourself] and being able to take that onto the field,” he said.

Although Snyder misses being in charge of the game, as well as all of the hard work as a catcher, he believes the move is good for a number of other reasons.

“I don’t miss the bullpens, I don’t miss the 100-degree weather games [and] I don’t miss spring training as a catcher,” Snyder said.

As long as he is able to make a positive impact, Snyder concluded that his position on the field is not important.

“I just want to play wherever it helps the team, and I just want to be in the lineup.”