Kyle Snyder - Professional Career

Professional Career

In 1999, he was a first round MLB draft pick (7th pick overall) of the Kansas City Royals. He played for Spokane Indians in 1999 and was named top prospect in the Northwest League by Baseball America.

His career with the Royals was hampered by several injuries. He only pitched 2 games in 2000 and missed the entire 2001 minor league season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Between 2003 and 2005 he was on the disabled list four times including two stays on the 60 day disabled list, missing the entire 2004 season after having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Despite his history with injuries, he was named the 7th-best prospect in the organization by Baseball America in 2003.

Snyder started the 2006 season with the Royal's minor league affiliate, Omaha Royals, and was promoted to the majors on June 8, 2006 to face the Texas Rangers. After giving up nine runs (five earned) and ten hits in a two inning start, he was designated for assignment.

In June 2006, he was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox. He split the remainder of the season between Boston and the Pawtucket Red Sox.

Snyder is perhaps best known in Boston for his 4⅓ inning relief effort for the Red Sox in a July 31, 2006 game against the Cleveland Indians. Entering the game with Boston trailing 8-6 in the 5th, he held the Indians scoreless before David Ortiz hit a walk-off 3-run homer in the bottom of the 9th, giving the Red Sox a stunning 9-8 victory. He allowed only 1 hit while walking none and striking out 6.

Snyder's first full season in the majors was in 2007, when he appeared in 46 games, one more than his previous three professional years combined. In January 2007 he signed a one-year contract with the Red Sox avoiding the arbitration process.

In April 2008, Snyder was designated for assignment to make room for Josh Beckett, who was returning from the 15-day disabled list. Later in the month, he accepted an assignment to remain in the Red Sox organization with Triple-A Pawtucket. He was granted free agency after the 2008 season and signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets in January 2009.