Interview With Forrest Snow

Forrest Snow, a right handed pitcher, in the Mariners organization has really gotten his career off to a great start thus far. The home grown reliever attended Lakeside High School in Seattle, Washington and went on to attend the University of Washington. He was drafted once by the Mariners in the 44^th round of the 2007 draft. He was then drafted by the Mariners again in the 36^th round of the 2010 draft. Last year in his first season, he played for the Everett Aquasox and after posting a 0.00 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 25.1 innings pitched he was promoted to Low A Clinton. He continued to perform well as he posted a 1.35 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 20 innings. The 6’6” pitcher just recently turned 22 and he is working hard this offseason to continue his success. Now let’s meet Mr. Snow.

Growing up in Seattle, were the Mariners your favorite team? How did it feel to not only get drafted by the Mariners once, but twice?
I've been a Mariners fan since the day I was born. I vividly remember sitting in bed after a little league game when I was about 6 years old, and telling myself that I was going to play for the Seattle Mariners someday. The first go around, it was awesome getting drafted by the hometown team, even if I did feel I wasn't ready to play proball. The second time around was even better, knowing I'd probably start close to home in Everett. Honestly, this whole situation is a dream come true.

Your Dad played baseball at San Diego State. How has he contributed to your development and your baseball career?
While my mom was the one who actually taught me how to catch and throw when I was little, my dad has meant everything to my baseball career. He was my coach from the beginning (teeball) through high school, and has always been my biggest supporter. I couldn't have gotten this far without him, and I intend to keep him on my shoulder as far as I can go.

In high school you were named the captain of your baseball team your senior year. Has that leadership carried over into college and then into your professional career?
The idea of leadership never really cemented itself into my mind until the latter years of my collegiate career. I don't think I was experienced enough in high school to hold a leadership role, and lead a team into battle. Once a sophomore and junior at UW, I felt like more of a leader for the sole reason of younger players would ask me for advice. I've never been the extroverted, pump up pep-talk kind of leader. I've always tried to lead by example, and let the ball do the talking.

Tell me about your experience at the Mariners Cup in 2006?
The Mariners Cup was an awesome experience. It was the first time I had ever played on Safeco Field, and I started the third game, so obviously I had plenty of time to get nervous. I kept telling myself that it was still 90 feet between bases and 60.5 feet to home plate, no different from our high school home field. Standing on that mound for the first time was an entirely different feeling all together, one I'll never forget. I'm just happy I helped the team for the three innings I was in, and didn't screw anything up.

At 6’6”, you have a huge height presence on the mound. Have you been tall your whole life or did you really start growing at a certain stage in your life? How does your height affect your pitching?I've never really considered myself to be that tall. Perhaps that's why I caught all the way up until junior year of high school. I'd have umpires telling me to squat down lower because they couldn't see home plate. Being tall definitely helps my intimidation act, that's for sure. I also think my changeup has more depth because of the tall trajectory I throw it at.

Your fastball has appeared to be increasing in velocity from your college days to where you are now. What has accounted for this increase? Increased strength? Simply developing? A change in mechanics?
I entered college at 6'5" 185 throwing 88, left college at 6'6" 215 throwing 92. Honestly, I feel like it's just natural maturation. I've since gained some more weight, and by association, a little more velo. I've had very similar mechanics since I was a kid. Free and easy, just wingin it.

You posted very impressive stats in your first professional season in which you threw 45.1 innings: 0.60 ERA, 52 strikeouts, and a 0.800 WHIP. What does this success mean to you and what are you doing this offseason to stay at the top of your game?
As cliche as it sounds, this was the first season I truly got the hang of the "one pitch at a time" routine. Especially being a late inning reliever, my outings were shorter, and therefore I could break each batter down into individual pitches. As soon as one outing was done, I moved on to the next one. It was a lot of fun, and I can't wait to start all over next season. In terms of off-season preparation, a structured performance training schedule, and bullpen time will be my two main points of focus.

After being drafted in June, you have been pushed pretty quickly through the system but with great success. Where do you hope to start this season and do you think this trend of advancing through the system quickly will continue especially being a reliever?
I try not to think about advancement, it takes away from the pitch I'm trying to throw in the present moment. What will happen, will happen, and there's only so much I can control. I'm hoping to play for last years Aquasox coach, Jose Moreno, who now manages our high-A team in California. He seemed to like the way I threw, and I've heard that their park is a challenge for pitchers.

There are many different views on pitchers partaking in long toss. What is your view on it? Do you throw long toss?
I believe in long toss to a certain extent. If stretched out too far to the point where the ball has a big arc, you're firing different muscle groups than you would on a mound. Once I get out to a distance where I'd have to put some arc on the ball, I usually like to long hop my partner, thus keeping the ball's trajectory similar enough to on-mound mechanics. This drill also helps me with my arm and hand speed.

Last question here and I would really like to thank you doing this interview. Could you give me a scouting report on yourself and your goals for this upcoming season?
My goal is to build on my success from last season, keep having fun, and continue to move in an upward direction through the organization. As long as I keep doing that, I think I'll be golden. As for the scouting report, three pitch mix, fastball anywhere from 90 to 95, changeup with good depth and speed differential around 75, and a curveball I've just learned how to locate down in the zone. I've started messing around with a slider, but that's still in the works.