Don’t Sleep On Me: Part 3 The Snow Storm

I thought about doing a recap of the games and spring training thoughts as they occurred on a daily basis. But you know what. It’s stupid. The idea of doing a daily recap of the day events is stupid. You all can find that at other sites. I’m not here to do what ever one else is doing. I like being my own site. If someone else here wants to take it upon them self to do such a thing, great. Otherwise you can visit one of the numerous sites that are going to debate the possibilities of a breakout season by Chone Figgins on day one and then turn around and talk about how he’s utterly useless.

The idea itself is redundant, excruciating and it would seem to go against pretty much all that I aim for when I write. I have my opinions about things and sure they can  be wrong. But I stick to it. I admit it when I’m wrong and rub in everyone’s face when I’m right.

But let’s talk about the real reasons I am writing today. A lot of people have mentioned that they enjoyed this series and the intention was always to have it a three part entity. With a “failed” prospect, an “falling” prospect, and a “rising” prospect. The rising start is of course that of young Forrest Snow.

I think it’s funny to see how much he’s fallen off the “grid” in the past three months. Coming out of the Arizona Fall League there was a lot of chatter that he could end up making the team out of Spring Training, ala Shawn Kelley.

But despite last seasons’ accomplishments and showing up to camp and doing some impressive things, he’s only fallen lower on the depth chart and on everyone’s radar.  The real reason for Snow’s quite decent towards a repeat assignment in Tacoma is the Mariners many moves older veteran relief help. The additions of George Sherrill, Shawn Camp and even Hong-Chih Kuo.

I’m not sold with Snow being forced into a relief role. But considering the Mariners current state of pitching it would seem to fit the need to move him to the bullpen where his stuff plays up.

Looking at his game day information from the AFL there wasn’t anything that directly stood out. His fastball consistently sat 93-94 and touched 95. He threw a slider that was interesting enough and an inconsistent change-up/splitter.

He looked like he might be a really good 7th inning guy. But he’s quitely been even better early on in camp. He sat 94-96 on Sunday, which surprised even me, so I went back and had to look at other pitchers documented velocity. This was just some investigative work in an effort to see if the gun was possibly running hot that day. Everything looks good and I don’t see any reason to believe he wasn’t pitching to his complete potential.

If that’s the case and he’s taken, yet again, a small step in the directions of progress. We could be taking about a guy who has the potential of an 8th or even 9th inning role. I realize that the Mariners have plenty of those types of guys and most fans and bloggers alike believe that the future to be tied up in Stephen Pryor, Chance Ruffin or even Tyler Burgoon.

Yet, Snow continues to shows a unique combination between polish and potential. As the young hurler, formerly of the University of Washington, not only has shown a propensity for breaking the preconceived beliefs but also the glass ceilings that have been continually set for him.

He doesn’t show any specific elite ability or even quality. But his ability to further his talents and the individual parts making his overall sum turn into something so unexpected and so much greater than what could have even been imagined at this stage last year.

I know there are a few articles that are still floating around here and there about Snow. It’s not gone completely dark and think in general everyone is pretty aware that at this stage he’s got a pretty bright future. Then again I don’t think people have really gathered together how good it could potentially be. We talk about him being a 36th round draft pick and we become excited at the pure prospect that he could turn out to be a major league pitcher. Considering the lack of success rate at that stage of the draft i is quite an accomplishment. But that said Forrest has a much bigger ceiling at this stage than what, I think, a lot of people are aware of.

In a lot of ways this isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it removes pressure for him and continues to allow him to develop without such lofty expectations. I’m certainly not trying to create people with these dream fantasies of what he could  be, rather, I’m just pointing what he’s already become.

Keep an on him this year as it’s only a matter of time before he becomes a useful part of this team. I think that happens this year and it might happen when you least expect it. Kind of like that creepy mustache that he grew.