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	Friday, November 3
	Chris Snelling By John Sickels Special to ESPN.com
	REPORT FILED: NOVEMBER 3 Here's an interesting young outfielder from the Midwest League: Chris Snelling of the Seattle Mariners. Chris Snelling Seattle Mariners Position: OF Height: 5-10 Weight: 165 Born: 12/3/81 Bats: Left Throws: Right Year Team Level G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS BA OBP SLG 1999 Everett A 69 265 46 81 15 3 10 50 33 24 8 9 .306 .388 .498 2000 Wisconsin A 72 259 44 79 9 5 9 56 34 34 7 4 .305 .386 .483 Like many teams, the Mariners are increasing their scouting outside of North America. One of their finds is Snelling, an intriguing outfielder from Australia. Snelling was signed as a free agent in 1999, and did so well in extended spring training that he was assigned to the Northwest League, usually dominated by college-trained players. He showed outstanding strike zone judgment and a quick bat for Everett, adjusting very quickly to a wooden bat and demonstrating strong across-the-board skills. I'll toot my own horn here, and point out that I pegged Snelling as a player to watch in the 2000 Minor League Scouting Notebook. I gave him a Grade B, with a chance to go higher once he played full-season ball. The Mariners moved Snelling to the Class A Midwest League for 2000, and he was still one of the youngest regulars in the circuit, since he doesn't turn 19 until next month. His numbers for Wisconsin were almost exactly identical to what he did the season before. He has pop in his bat, a beautiful line-drive swing, can pull the ball or go to the opposite field for power, and controls the strike zone. While Snelling isn't especially fast, he has good instincts and should be able to steal a few bases with more experience. He can play center field, and has a very strong arm. While many scouts are skeptical about short players, Snelling is a fine athlete with a great deal of wiry strength in his body. Scouts also like his work ethic and confidence on the field. The main trouble for Snelling in 2000 was health: he missed almost half the season with a broken hand, then lost more time with a strained wrist ligament. Hand injuries can sap power, and it wouldn't surprise me if it takes him another year to get his power game really going. But considering his quick swing and excellent command of the strike zone, I have no real doubts about his ability to hit at higher levels. Mailbag questions Shawn M. writes: I first heard the name Tony Blanco Last year in a Peter Gammons piece. He is very young, but put up solid numbers in 52 games with the Gulf Coast Red Sox this season, hitting .384 with 13 homers, 13 doubles, and 50 RBI. What have you heard about him? Is he as gifted physically as I have been led to believe? Blanco looks like a fine prospect, although it's always a bit dangerous to get excited about guys in rookie ball. He's an 18-year-old Dominican, and indeed, he dominated the Gulf Coast League. I like the batting average and home runs; I don't pay attention to RBI total when looking at prospects. Blanco's strike zone judgment is OK ... 18 walks in 190 at-bats, with 38 strikeouts, is marginal but not terrible. I want to see what he does at higher levels before I go overboard with any recommendations for this guy. He's a good prospect, but let's see how he handles better pitching at tougher levels before we anoint him the next Red Sox savior. Chris S. writes: How do you feel about Jason Romano's year and his current prospect status? Has he been passed up by shortstop/second baseman Mike Young? Also, what kind of future can you see for Kevin Mench? I love Kevin Mench ... I think he's going to be an excellent hitter. I've heard him compared to Dante Bichette, although statistically I think he'll be similar to Rusty Greer. As for Romano and Young, I like both these guys. Romano was mediocre in Double-A, but he's still quite young. I do think he's been passed by Mike Young on the Rangers' depth chart, at least temporarily, since Young is older and closer to being ready for the majors. If the Rangers handle things correctly, they should have their middle infield set for several years with these two guys. One final note This is my last column before Election Day. Whether you are an independent, or a member of the Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Natural Law, Green, Constitution, Reform, Socialist, or any other party, get out there and vote. People died so you can do this, and it is sad to see people throw their rights away. Democracy only works if people participate. Don't let it slip away. John Sickels is the author of the STATS 2000 Minor League Scouting Notebook. You can email your questions to him at JASickels@AOL.com.		ALSO SEE Down on the Farm archive