Collin Snider

Collin Snider Bio

Collin Kenneth Snider is an American professional baseball pitcher currently affiliated with the Chicago Cubs organization. Born on October 10, 1995, Snider has played Major League Baseball for the Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners. He built his reputation as a reliable reliever with a devastating sinker that earned praise from college coaches who compared it to a “unicorn” pitch due to its extreme movement. Snider’s journey from a high school standout in Tennessee through Vanderbilt University to the major leagues reflects his dedication to the sport and his ability to overcome setbacks throughout his professional career.

Early Life and Background

Snider grew up in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where he attended Riverdale High School. During his high school years from 2012 to 2014, he established himself as an exceptional pitcher, leading his team to district and regional championships. His senior year in 2014 proved particularly memorable when he threw a perfect game, showcasing the elite-level talent that would define his amateur career. Snider’s favorite baseball team during his youth was the Atlanta Braves, and he admired David Price, who shares the same hometown of Murfreesboro and also played at Vanderbilt University.

After graduating from Riverdale High School, Snider continued his baseball career at Vanderbilt University, where he served as a reliever for the Commodores for three seasons. He compiled an impressive college record of 7-2 with a 3.62 earned run average and 68 strikeouts in 87 innings pitched. His teammates at Vanderbilt included future MLB All-Stars Walker Buehler, Bryan Reynolds, and Dansby Swanson. The Commodores coaching staff recognized the unique quality of Snider’s sinker, describing it as “disgusting” and likening it to a “unicorn” because of the extreme downward movement that made it difficult for batters to elevate the ball. Following his sophomore year in 2016, Snider played collegiate summer baseball with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Path to Professional Baseball

Snider’s success at Vanderbilt and in the Cape Cod Baseball League caught the attention of MLB scouts. The Kansas City Royals selected him in the 12th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. Rather than returning for his senior year at Vanderbilt, Snider signed with the Royals and began his professional career immediately. This transition from college baseball to professional baseball marked the beginning of his ascent through the minor leagues.

After being drafted, Snider debuted with the rookie-level Burlington Royals in June 2017 and earned a promotion to the Single-A Lexington Legends by August. He combined to post a 3.21 earned run average across 17 appearances with both teams that season. The following years saw him steadily progress through the Royals minor league system, playing for Lexington in 2018, then splitting time between the rookie-level Arizona League Royals and the High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks in 2019 where he recorded a 2.24 ERA. The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Snider used the time to train at his former high school and college in Tennessee, maintaining his skills for the future.

Collin Snider Career

Kansas City Royals Minor Leagues (2017–2021)

Snider continued his development in the Royals minor league system throughout 2021, pitching for the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals and the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers. He registered a 4.48 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 66 and one-third innings pitched across 48 total appearances. His consistent performance at the Triple-A level earned him a spot on the Royals 40-man roster on November 19, 2021, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft and signaling the organization’s belief in his potential to contribute at the major league level.

Kansas City Royals Breakthrough (2022–2023)

Snider made the Royals Opening Day roster to begin the 2022 season, achieving his dream of reaching the majors. He made his MLB debut in dramatic fashion, throwing a scoreless tenth inning and picking up his first career win and strikeout. Eleven family members were in attendance to witness the historic moment. Snider appeared in 42 games during his rookie campaign, posting a 4-2 record with a 6.55 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 34 and one-third innings pitched. He experienced his first major league demotion in mid-June, spending two months at Triple-A before returning to the Royals on August 20.

The 2023 season saw Snider split time between Triple-A Omaha and Kansas City. He was optioned to Triple-A to begin the year, called up for the first two weeks of July where he pitched in five games, and rejoined the Royals near the end of August. In 30 games for Kansas City, he had a 4.87 ERA with 11 strikeouts across 20 and one-third innings. On December 11, 2023, the Royals designated Snider for assignment to add reliever Will Smith to their roster, ending his tenure with the organization that drafted him seven years earlier.

Seattle Mariners Era (2024–2025)

Snider’s career took a positive turn when the Arizona Diamondbacks claimed him off waivers on December 18, 2023. However, he was designated for assignment less than two months later on January 30, 2024, to make room for Joc Pederson on the roster. On February 6, 2024, the Seattle Mariners claimed Snider off waivers, providing him with a fresh opportunity. The move proved beneficial as Snider pitched significantly better with the Mariners, going 3-4 with a 1.94 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 41 and two-thirds innings.

He began the 2024 season on the Mariners Opening Day roster but landed on the injured list on April 8 with a knee contusion. After being sent down to Triple-A Tacoma following his return from the injured list, Snider rejoined the majors in early June. He underwent a notable change in his pitch mix, shifting from relying on a sinker and slider as he had with the Royals to favoring a four-seam fastball and sweeper. His cutter remained his third most common pitch. Snider also demonstrated exceptional command, consistently throwing first-pitch strikes to 73 percent of batters faced, ranking second among MLB pitchers who threw at least 40 innings in 2024 and placing in the top 10 among single-season performances since at least 2002.

The 2025 season brought challenges as Snider made 24 appearances for the Mariners, registering a 2-1 record with a 5.47 ERA and 24 strikeouts across 26 and one-third innings. Seattle designated him for assignment on July 30, 2025, following the acquisition of Caleb Ferguson. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Tacoma on August 3. Following the season, Snider elected free agency on November 6, 2025.

Chicago Cubs (2025–Present)

On December 11, 2025, Snider signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs organization. This move marked a new chapter in his career as he seeks to return to the major leagues with a different club. The Cubs, known for their strong player development program, offer Snider an opportunity to compete for a spot on their major league roster during spring training.

Driving Style and Strengths

Snider has evolved as a pitcher throughout his career. While he initially built his reputation on a devastating sinker that generated extreme ground-ball movement, his time with the Mariners prompted him to adapt his approach. He now features a four-seam fastball and sweeper as his primary weapons, with a cutter serving as his third option. His ability to locate pitches effectively, particularly his elite first-pitch strike rate, has become a defining characteristic of his pitching style.

Notable Events and Milestones

Snider’s MLB debut in 2022 stands out as a defining moment, with eleven family members present as he earned his first career win. His perfect game during his senior year at Riverdale High School in 2014 remains one of the highlights of his amateur career. The tragic death of his Vanderbilt teammate Donny Everett in 2016 profoundly affected Snider, who spoke at his friend’s funeral and honors Everett’s memory by keeping his initials and number stitched on his baseball glove.

Collin Snider Career Statistics

Throughout his Major League Baseball career spanning from 2022 through 2025, Snider has established himself as a versatile reliever capable of contributing in various situations. His career totals reflect consistency across multiple organizations and the ability to adapt his game as needed.

MLB Career Highlights

Snider has compiled a career win-loss record of 9-7 with a 4.48 earned run average and 104 strikeouts across his time with the Royals and Mariners. His best season came in 2024 with Seattle, where he posted a 1.94 ERA and recorded 47 strikeouts in 41 and two-thirds innings while earning three wins. His ability to limit opponents’ scoring while missing bats has been a consistent theme throughout his major league career.

Minor League Development

Prior to reaching the majors, Snider spent five seasons developing in the Royals minor league system. His progression from rookie ball through Triple-A demonstrated steady improvement, culminating in his addition to the 40-man roster following an impressive 2021 season with Northwest Arkansas and Omaha where he posted a 4.48 ERA in 48 appearances.

Collin Snider Family

Family Background

Snider comes from an athletic family in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. His parents, Jerry and Cheri Snider, raised five children who all participated in athletics. His siblings include Danielle, Spencer, Andrew, and Zachary. In June 2021, Snider’s mother Cheri was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the family has supported her throughout her treatment and recovery journey.

Personal Life

Snider married Rachel Snider in 2019 after the two became high school sweethearts in Murfreesboro. The couple shares their home with a golden retriever named Jax. Outside of baseball, Snider remains connected to his roots in Tennessee and has maintained relationships with former teammates and coaches from both his high school and college careers.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented a year of transition and adjustment for Snider with the Seattle Mariners. After a breakout 2024 campaign where he emerged as a reliable member of the bullpen, Snider appeared in 24 games for Seattle, compiling a 2-1 record with a 5.47 earned run average and 24 strikeouts in 26 and one-third innings. The performance fell short of his previous season’s standards, reflecting the inherent variability in relief pitching roles.

Despite the challenges, Snider demonstrated resilience by continuing to execute his pitch mix adjustments that he implemented in 2024. His ability to generate first-pitch strikes remained a strength throughout the season. The Mariners’ decision to designate him for assignment on July 30 following the acquisition of Caleb Ferguson reflected the roster dynamics of a contending team making mid-season adjustments rather than any significant decline in Snider’s abilities.

Following his outright assignment to Triple-A Tacoma, Snider finished the season with the Rainiers before electing free agency in November. His subsequent signing with the Chicago Cubs on December 11, 2025, presents a new opportunity for the veteran reliever to compete for a spot on a major league roster with an organization known for developing pitchers. The minor league contract allows Snider to prove himself during spring training and earn a return to the majors.