Diamondbacks Claim Collin Snider Off Waivers from Royals

Arizona adds more bullpen depth to their organization.

The Diamondbacks have made a roster move today, claiming right-handed pitcher Collin Snider off waivers from the Kansas City Royals. With the move, Arizona's 40-man roster is now full. 

Snider, 28, was a 12th round selection by the Royals out of Vanderbilt in the 2017 Draft, reaching the majors in 2022. In 62 career appearances, the right-hander is 4-2 with a 5.93 ERA/6.01 FIP in 54 2/3 innings. His sinker averages just under 96 MPH, while the right-hander relied on three different fastballs and two different sliders in 2023. In a small sample size his 4-seam fastball and slider yielded the best results, with run values per 100 of 5.4 and 2.0 according to Baseball Savant.

With 62 appearances and only one start, which was two innings, Snider projects to be minor league bullpen depth. Arizona's bullpen at the major league level is relatively set entering the 2024 season, although general manager Mike Hazen did not rule out any future moves to fortify their pitching last week. 

Snider still has one remaining option on his contract, which means Arizona could stash him in the minors for one year without having to expose him to waivers. However with a 40-man roster that's still full and space needed to be cleared for a reported re-signing of Lourdes Gurriel Jr., this could be a claim and stash in the minors when he clears outright waivers move. The D-backs did the same thing with right-hander Tyler Zuber last offseason, although first baseman Christian Walker is probably the most famous example of that type of move.