Ian Snell
Encyclopedia
Ian Dante Snell is an American
Major League Baseball
right-handed pitcher
for the Los Angeles Dodgers
organization. From -, he went by the name Ian Oquendo, adopting the last name of his wife, and during the 2009 World Baseball Classic
he went by Ian Davila-Snell, adopting his stepfather's surname. He throws a mid-90s fastball
, along with a curveball
, slider
and changeup
.
, Snell made his professional debut with the rookie league Gulf Coast Pirates in following being selected by the Pirates in the 26th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. He made his debut on July 17, pitching 1.2 innings of scoreless relief against the GCL Expos.
In , Snell split the season between the GCL Pirates and the Short Season-A New York - Penn League
, Williamsport Crosscutters
.
Snell played the season with the South Atlantic League
Champion Hickory Crawdads
, a Single-A club. There he ranked fourth among league pitchers in strikeout
s and seventh in ERA
.
In , when Snell went 14-4 with a 3.00 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 26 minor league starts, split between Single-A Lynchburg
and Double-A Altoona
, he was named the Pirates organizational Pitcher-of-the-Year.
Snell spent the majority of his season with the Altoona Curve. He set a single-season team record and finished second in the league with 142 strikeouts.
. In his debut, he surrendered one hit
(a solo home run
to John Mabry
), three walks
and two strikeouts in 2.0 innings of work. He was optioned back to Altoona, but was recalled again on September 21, after Altoona's season ended.
In , Snell split the season between the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
, going 11-3 with a 3.70 ERA, and the Pirates. While with the Indians, he pitched a no-hitter
on May 15 against the Norfolk Tides
. He was named the International League
pitcher of the week twice, for the weeks ending May 1 and May 15. He made 2 separate appearances for the Pirates, from June 26-August 16 and again from September 12 to the end of the season. He appeared in 15 games, including 5 starts. His first win came September 19, against Roger Clemens
and the Houston Astros
. In this game, he allowed only three singles
in eight innings of work. It would be his only win in 2005, though, as he finished the season 1-2 with a 5.14 ERA in over 42 innings.
In , Snell won 14 games, the most for Pittsburgh in several seasons, while losing 11 and leading the team in strikeouts.
On January 28, , the Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association honored Snell as the "John J. Brady Athlete of the Year", an award given annually to the best athlete from Delaware
.
On March 16, , Snell agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Pirates worth at least $8 million, including club options for 2011 and 2012. Snell finished the 2008 season with a 5.42 ERA and a record of 7-12. Snell had the worst OBP-against in the majors (.385) and led the National League by giving up 9 triples.
Snell was demoted to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
on June 24, per his request. In his first Triple-A appearance on June 28, Snell struck out 17 of 21 batters that he faced, while allowing only 2 hits.
Snell's attributed his disappointing 2008-09 results for the major-league Pirates to depression
and to disenchantment with his environment.
, Ronny Cedeño
, Aaron Pribanic, Brett Lorin, and Nathan Adcock
. On July 31, the Mariners recalled Snell to take the roster spot of pitcher Jarrod Washburn
, who had been traded earlier that same day. Since being traded, Snell finished 5-2 with a 4.20 ERA in 12 starts with the Mariners in 2009. Overall, with the Pirates and Mariners combined, he finished 7-10 with a 4.84 ERA in 27 starts in 2009.
Snell started the season as the No. 2/No. 3 starter for the Mariners. He started the season 0-3 with a 4.58 ERA before being demoted to the bullpen
. After teammate Doug Fister
went on the DL, Snell took over his roster spot, therefore returning to the rotation, and in his next two starts, he proceeded to go 0-2 with a 12.86 ERA. On June 9, Snell had a career-worst start where he pitched only 1.2 innings, giving up 8 runs (7 earned), 1 walk, and struck out only one in a 12-2 loss to the Texas Rangers
that dropped him to 0-5. On June 11, Snell was returned to the bullpen after his career-worst start by then Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu
.
On June 15, Snell was designated for assignment. Following the season, he became a free agent.
signed Snell to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training on January 14, 2011. On March 15, the Cardinals assigned Snell to minor league camp, but he chose instead to retire. In April, he decided to reconsider retiring and the Cardinals released Snell to allow him to pursue any opportunities.
on May 25, 2011. He was assigned to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
. He pitched in six games for the Isotopes, making five starts and had a 1-2 record and 11.05 ERA. He was suspended by the team on July 14 for unspecified reasons and missed the rest of the season.
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
right-handed pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
organization. From -, he went by the name Ian Oquendo, adopting the last name of his wife, and during the 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
he went by Ian Davila-Snell, adopting his stepfather's surname. He throws a mid-90s fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
, along with a curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
, slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
and changeup
Changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace, Bugs Bunny change-up, the dreaded equalizer, and simply change. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball...
.
Professional career
After being a standout pitcher at Caesar Rodney High SchoolCaesar Rodney High School
Caesar Rodney High School is a high school located in Camden-Wyoming, Delaware south of Dover, DE. The school is in Caesar Rodney School District. The school's enrollment is over 2,800...
, Snell made his professional debut with the rookie league Gulf Coast Pirates in following being selected by the Pirates in the 26th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. He made his debut on July 17, pitching 1.2 innings of scoreless relief against the GCL Expos.
In , Snell split the season between the GCL Pirates and the Short Season-A New York - Penn League
New York - Penn League
The New York – Penn League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the northeastern United States. It is classified as a "Short-Season A" league; its season starts in June, after major-league teams have signed their amateur draft picks to professional contracts, and ends in early...
, Williamsport Crosscutters
Williamsport Crosscutters
The Williamsport Crosscutters are a Short-Season A classification minor league baseball team based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
.
Snell played the season with the South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
Champion Hickory Crawdads
Hickory Crawdads
The Hickory Crawdads are a Minor League Baseball team in Hickory, North Carolina, USA. They are a Class A team in the South Atlantic League, and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2009. Previously, they were a Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Crawdads play home games...
, a Single-A club. There he ranked fourth among league pitchers in strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and seventh in ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
.
In , when Snell went 14-4 with a 3.00 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 26 minor league starts, split between Single-A Lynchburg
Lynchburg Hillcats
The Lynchburg Hillcats are a minor league baseball team in Lynchburg, Virginia. They are a Class High-A team in the Carolina League, and currently are a farm team of the Atlanta Braves. They had been a farm team of the Pittsburgh Pirates since 1995, with the Cincinnati Reds fulfilling the final...
and Double-A Altoona
Altoona Curve
The Altoona Curve are a minor league baseball team based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, named after nearby Horseshoe Curve . The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club...
, he was named the Pirates organizational Pitcher-of-the-Year.
Snell spent the majority of his season with the Altoona Curve. He set a single-season team record and finished second in the league with 142 strikeouts.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Snell was later called up to the Pirates, making his major league debut on August 20, 2004 against the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. In his debut, he surrendered one hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
(a solo home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
to John Mabry
John Mabry
John Steven Mabry is a former Major League Baseball player. He had 898 career hits in 3409 at bats , with 96 home runs and 446 RBI...
), three walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
and two strikeouts in 2.0 innings of work. He was optioned back to Altoona, but was recalled again on September 21, after Altoona's season ended.
In , Snell split the season between the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
, going 11-3 with a 3.70 ERA, and the Pirates. While with the Indians, he pitched a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
on May 15 against the Norfolk Tides
Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
. He was named the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
pitcher of the week twice, for the weeks ending May 1 and May 15. He made 2 separate appearances for the Pirates, from June 26-August 16 and again from September 12 to the end of the season. He appeared in 15 games, including 5 starts. His first win came September 19, against Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
and the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. In this game, he allowed only three singles
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
in eight innings of work. It would be his only win in 2005, though, as he finished the season 1-2 with a 5.14 ERA in over 42 innings.
In , Snell won 14 games, the most for Pittsburgh in several seasons, while losing 11 and leading the team in strikeouts.
On January 28, , the Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association honored Snell as the "John J. Brady Athlete of the Year", an award given annually to the best athlete from Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
.
On March 16, , Snell agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Pirates worth at least $8 million, including club options for 2011 and 2012. Snell finished the 2008 season with a 5.42 ERA and a record of 7-12. Snell had the worst OBP-against in the majors (.385) and led the National League by giving up 9 triples.
Snell was demoted to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
on June 24, per his request. In his first Triple-A appearance on June 28, Snell struck out 17 of 21 batters that he faced, while allowing only 2 hits.
Snell's attributed his disappointing 2008-09 results for the major-league Pirates to depression
Depression (mood)
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless...
and to disenchantment with his environment.
Seattle Mariners
On July 29, 2009, Snell and Shortstop Jack Wilson were traded to the Seattle Mariners for Jeff ClementJeff Clement
Jeffrey Burton Clement is a Major League Baseball first baseman who is currently in the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization. Clement was the Seattle Mariners' first round draft pick in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft.-Amateur career:Clement was born and raised in Marshalltown, Iowa...
, Ronny Cedeño
Ronny Cedeño
Ronny Alexander Cedeño is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball shortstop. He bats and throws right-handed and was born in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela...
, Aaron Pribanic, Brett Lorin, and Nathan Adcock
Nathan Adcock (baseball)
Nathan Masler Adcock is a baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals.Before playing professionally, Adcock attended North Hardin High School...
. On July 31, the Mariners recalled Snell to take the roster spot of pitcher Jarrod Washburn
Jarrod Washburn
Jarrod Michael Washburn is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and currently resides in his hometown of Webster, Wisconsin.-High school / college:...
, who had been traded earlier that same day. Since being traded, Snell finished 5-2 with a 4.20 ERA in 12 starts with the Mariners in 2009. Overall, with the Pirates and Mariners combined, he finished 7-10 with a 4.84 ERA in 27 starts in 2009.
Snell started the season as the No. 2/No. 3 starter for the Mariners. He started the season 0-3 with a 4.58 ERA before being demoted to the bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
. After teammate Doug Fister
Doug Fister
Douglas Wildes Fister is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers.Fister bats left-handed, and throws right-handed. He was born in Merced, California and attended Golden Valley High School. For college, Fister attended Merced College, and later Fresno State University...
went on the DL, Snell took over his roster spot, therefore returning to the rotation, and in his next two starts, he proceeded to go 0-2 with a 12.86 ERA. On June 9, Snell had a career-worst start where he pitched only 1.2 innings, giving up 8 runs (7 earned), 1 walk, and struck out only one in a 12-2 loss to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
that dropped him to 0-5. On June 11, Snell was returned to the bullpen after his career-worst start by then Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu
Don Wakamatsu
Wilbur Donald "Don" Wakamatsu is a former Major League Baseball catcher and manager. He was the manager of the Seattle Mariners for the season, as well as the majority of the season...
.
On June 15, Snell was designated for assignment. Following the season, he became a free agent.
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
signed Snell to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training on January 14, 2011. On March 15, the Cardinals assigned Snell to minor league camp, but he chose instead to retire. In April, he decided to reconsider retiring and the Cardinals released Snell to allow him to pursue any opportunities.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Snell signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
on May 25, 2011. He was assigned to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
. He pitched in six games for the Isotopes, making five starts and had a 1-2 record and 11.05 ERA. He was suspended by the team on July 14 for unspecified reasons and missed the rest of the season.
International career
Snell, whose father has some Puerto Rican ancestry, played for Puerto Rico in the 2009 World Baseball Classic2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
.