Snell named finalist for Buster Posey Award, drafted by Washington Nationals
Ryan Snell was named a 2023 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award nominee for his play at Lamar University. The Hardin graduate was among three finalists for the prestigious award. Contributed Photo
Ryan Snell was named a 2023 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award nominee for his play at Lamar University. The Hardin graduate was among three finalists for the prestigious award. Contributed Photo
It has been quite a week for former Hardin Hornet Ryan Snell, the senior graduate from Lamar University, who was named one of three finalists for the coveted Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award and was drafted as the 195th pick of the Washington Nationals in the seventh round of the Major League Baseball Draft. That is an impressive feat, as there are 20 rounds in the draft.
Snell is the 13th player to be drafted out of Liberty County and the highest pick on record.
According to records, The Vindicator could find only two players who recorded time in the majors, with Tarkington alum Jason Grimsley w h o p l a y e d for seve r a l t e ams , including the New York Yankees 1999 and 2000 World Series team, and undrafted Tink Riviere from Liberty, who played for the Cardinals and White Sox in the 1920s.
Snell had a career year at Lamar this past season by hitting 17 home runs and driving in 58 to go along with having a .319 batting average for the Cardinals. Snell also had a .412 on-base percentage.
Behind the plate, Snell was even more impressive by catching 58 percent of base runners attempting to steal and a .993 fielding percentage.
The other two nominees for the award are Kyle Teel of Virginia and Jack Payton of Louisville.
All three nominees spent time with the great Buster Posey and visited several places in Wichita, KS.
“It was an awesome experience, and Buster is such a down-toearth person,” said Snell.
The Wichita Sports Commission in Kansas hosted the banquet on Thursday night.
Kyle Teel of Virginia was named the 2023 Buster Posey Award winner.
Teel had a .418 with 105 hits and a .995 fielding percentage.
“ It was great company to be in, and all I can say is that I was thrilled to be nominated for the award,” said Snell.
There is no mistake about it; Snell walked away a winner with his nomination as one of the best catchers in all of college baseball.
Snell was the heart and soul of the Cardinals baseball program this past season and made school history from his catcher position that will be tough to match down the road.
“ I think when I hit two home runs against Texas A&M in College Station when they were ranked #5 in the country that things really took off for me,” said Snell.
Now Snell will pursue his lifelong dream of playing Major League Baseball as a member of the Washington Nationals.
Congratulations to Ryan’s proud parents, Hardin Athletic Director Randy Snell and Lady Hornets Head Volleyball Coach Regina Snell.