Jake Snider is the son of a coach, so baseball runs through his blood. Snider actually played for his father at the University of Louisville from 2017-19, winning the Louisville Region MVP in 2019 before the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him in the 20th round. Draftees that year did not know it at the time, but their pro ball experience would be thrown through a gigantic loop. 

Things started normally for Snider, beginning in rookie ball following the draft with an assignment to the Bristol Pirates in the Appalachian League. Despite only being able to squeeze in 21 games, Snider impressed with a .300 batting average and OPS above .800.  

Minor league baseball overhauled drastically after the 2019 season, with rookie ball leagues like the Appalachian League and the Pioneer League being cut from affiliates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Younger careers were put into jeopardy, but Snider’s strong 2019 kept him in camp. Unfortunately for Snider, his 2021 campaign never got off the ground, playing just seven games while battling an injury before his release during 2022 spring training.  

Less than two weeks later, Snider signed with the Lake Country DockHounds to be a part of the inaugural team. Snider shined bright in 83 games, once again hitting over .300 and belting nine home runs while playing dependable defense. 

Catching the eyes of the Colorado Rockies, Snider earned another crack in affiliate ball. Getting a restart in low-A, Snider seized the opportunity in Fresno with the Grizzlies, accumulating a .771 OPS in his first full minor league season. He started the 2024 season in Fresno once again, but a blistering start to the year warranted a promotion to high-A Spokane where Snider finished the season.  

Snider stood out to the San Diego Padres, who claimed him in the minor league phase of the rule 5 draft ahead of the 2025 season and assigned him to high-A Fort Wayne.