News
Snider continues to make adjustments
Toronto (65-79) at New York (93-52), 7:05 p.m. ET
By Mike Scott / Special to MLB.com
09/15/09 12:15 AM ET
DETROIT -- The life of a rookie in the Major Leagues is about making adjustments -- adjustments at the plate, in the outfield and on the mound. And sometimes being a rookie is about dressing up as a Toronto Argonauts cheerleader. The Blue Jays have plenty of rookies going through this process. Outfielder Travis Snider is one of many. And those adjustments will extend beyond the end of this regular season. So while Snider's attention on Tuesday will be focused on beating the Yankees in New York, his long-term view of how to improve at the big league level doesn't stop in early October. "I'd say the number one thing for me is being healthy when I come to Spring Training," Snider said, referring to some minor back problems and other injuries. "I have dealt with injuries three of the last four years. There are times that maybe I've pushed myself too hard perhaps. So while there are many things I need to work on, maintaining that health during the season is number one." Another improvement that Snider wants to make is to become a more complete outfielder defensively. He admits that there have been times this year where he has struggled in the outfield, and in late August, Toronto manager Cito Gaston said that Snider is likely better suited to play left field long-term than right field, where he has played most of this season. Becoming a better defensive outfielder is about both physical and mental preparation, Snider said. "I felt last year was better in the outfield than where I am this year," Snider said. "Perhaps I am thinking too much before things happen when I'm out there." To be a better all-around player, Snider also wants to improve his baserunning skills, and that also starts in the offseason. He will be working with athletic and sports trainers at Pro Advantage Training in Arizona this winter, which will help improve his agility and lateral movement. Snider, like his teammates, also works closely with Blue Jays strength and conditioning coach Bryan King to develop a personalized training program during the season. "I want to be a better baserunner as a guy who can steal bases or come off the bench and be a pinch-runner," Snider said. "I may not be a burner, but I'm a guy who can run pretty well for my size. If I can get to a point where I am making better decisions on the bases, I'll be better able to help out my team. "I want to push it as much as I can, but still be 100 percent ready. The injuries I have dealt with made it tough for me in past Spring Trainings to be consistent." Snider also wants to become more effective at pulling inside pitches into right field while at the plate. Of his six home runs this season, only one has come to right, when he drilled one out in Fenway Park earlier this summer. That is both good and bad -- because many young hitters come out to the Majors trying to pull everything and are unable to go up the middle or go the other way, something Gaston referred to over the weekend. But Snider realizes that he will not achieve the type of power and RBI numbers he has the potential to until he can consistently drive inside fastballs down the first-base line or into the right-field stands. "I know that here in my short-lived Major League career, I have only pulled one home run and the rest have come the other way," said Snider, who had six home runs and 17 RBIs heading into Monday's series finale in Detroit. "I haven't seen as many pitches inside the last few games. But as [Gaston] has said, you need to be able to pull those inside fastballs with authority. I need to make pitchers pay the price. "I'd say to be more of a complete hitter, you need to be able to use all fields. I have struggled at times in maintaining that same swing path and keeping the right mechanics. So that's something that I'll be working on the last few weeks [of the regular season]." And as for being an Argonauts cheerleader? Snider and every other rookie on the Blue Jays were forced to wear those cheerleading outfits while walking through the airport in Toronto on their way to Detroit for the four-game series. It's part of the life of a rookie. "Let me tell you, it's not easy looking good when you're wearing a cheerleading outfit, but someone had to do it," Snider said with a wry smile. Pitching matchupTOR: RHP Roy Halladay (14-9, 3.03 ERA)
Halladay picked up his seventh complete game of the season and his second in a row in a 4-1 loss to the Twins on Sept. 9. He will be given an extra day off between starts, which was planned all along. He gave up nine hits and four runs to the Twins and also struck out nine. In his previous start, he one-hit the Yankees. Once again against the Twins, he lacked run support, but he was not happy with himself for a pitch in the middle of the plate that he threw on Orlando Cabrera's game-tying homer in the sixth. Justin Morneau put Minnesota ahead with an eighth-inning homer on a pitch that was up, and Michael Cuddyer hit an 0-2 curveball that was up for a two-run, pinch-hit double in the ninth to provide a cushion. It was the first time in nine decisions that the Twins have defeated Halladay. He also dominates New York. He is 17-6 with a 2.83 ERA against the Yankees in his career. NYY: RHP Sergio Mitre (3-2, 7.02 ERA)
Mitre gets the ball Tuesday as the Yankees open a brief two-game series with the Blue Jays. Mitre's last start was in Toronto on Sept. 6, when he allowed a career-high 11 runs (nine earned) on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings as the Yankees suffered a 14-8 loss to the Blue Jays. This will be Mitre's ninth start and 10th appearance since opening the season on the disabled list recovering from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery performed in July 2008. Tidbits
The Blue Jays now have an all-time record of 200-167 against the Tigers. ... Outfielder Joe Inglett is day-to-day after straining his rib cage in batting practice Sunday. ... Marco Scutaro ranks sixth in the Majors and third in the American League, having reached base safely 250 times this season. Tickets
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• Wednesday: Blue Jays (TBD) at Yankees (TBD), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Off-day
• Friday: Blue Jays (TBD) at Rays (James Shields, 9-11, 4.03), 7:38 p.m. ET
Mike Scott is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
