Signed by the Mariners as an undrafted free agent on March 2, 1999, Chris Snelling has come a long way from Corpus Christi College High in Tuggerah, Australia. The 5-10, 195 Snelling, a veteran of Australia’s Olympic baseball program has been dubbed the minor’s Lenny Dykstra. Of course Jeremy Reed was also the minor’s Lenny Dykstra. And the Ms weren’t thrilled with his 2005 season. He’s a hard-nosed, what they call a, “duct-tape” player. Unfortunately most of that tape’s been used to keep this guy together.

After signing with the Ms in 1999, Snelling was named the co-MVP of their A-affiliate in Everett. In 2000 he was named to the Midwest League All-Star team, and in 2001 he led the California League in hitting with a .336 average. He made his major league debut on May 25, 2001, and had his first big league hit off Tampa Bay right-hander Ryan Rupe on May 28, 2002. Then, on June 4, he tore his ACL and was out for the year.

Snelling rehabbed, hitting .333 for AA-San Antonio in 2003. He spent the year in the minors, going 3 HR/10 RBI/.269 for AAA Tacoma. He missed spring training in 2004 with a wrist injury, hit .312 with 4 doubles, 1 triple and 9 RBI in the Arizona Rookie League and was shut down for the season.

He started off ‘05 in the minors, hitting .370 in 246 ABs for AAA Tacoma, and was promoted to the majors, where he hit .276 in 29 ABs for the Mariners. Then he tore his ACL again.

Snelling is a top-of-the-order hitter who relies on his defense and on-base skills. His career .327 minor league average is proof he can hit, but his 41 HRs in 1595 ABs shows he can’t hit for power. What he can do is post a 43:36 K:BB ratio, and get on base. What do you do with a singles hitter with bad knees who can’t steal bases and can’t stay healthy? Snelling is only 25, so hopefully he gets his ligaments in order. At this point it’s hard to see him as anything more than a 4th OF, or maybe even career minor leaguer. I don’t know what this 2nd ACL injury is going to do to his speed, but you can bet he’s not going to be a better runner for having gone under the knife a second time.

He’s ahead of his rehab, and should be back playing by July 2006. But he was never a “top” prospect and any fantasy buzz with him at this point should come from a purely human interest standpoint. You hate to see injuries to any player, but it’s especially crushing when it happens to a guy like Snelling who’s worked this hard to be roadblocked.