Robby Snelling is set to make his Major League debut for the Miami Marlins on Friday, May 8.
The left-handed starting pitcher is ranked as the No. 32 overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, and the No. 2 prospect in the Marlins’ farm system. Snelling, 22, was traded to Miami on July 30, 2024, in a package with three other prospects for left-handed reliever Tanner Scott.
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Snelling has rebuilt his value as part of the Marlins’ organization, posting a 1.86 ERA (second lowest in the International League) with 44 strikeouts (tied for the second most) in six starts this season for the Marlins’ Triple-A affiliate, Jacksonville.
However, before Snelling became a baseball prospect, he was also a standout linebacker for his high school, Reno McQueen High, in Reno, Nevada.
Here’s a look back at his high school career, which almost led to a commitment as a two-sport star in a major conference:
Robby Snelling, baseball star
McQueen’s Robby Snelling is seen pitching against Spanish Springs during their game on April 26, 2022.
Snelling’s talent as a baseball player was always evident, excelling as a two-way star in the sport. As a senior, he earned Gatorade Nevada Baseball Player of the Year honors in 2022, after finishing with an 8-0 record record and a 0.56 ERA.
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He set the single-season Nevada state strikeouts record with 146. He also struck out 20 hitters in a seven-inning game, giving him the state single-game record. At the plate, he hit for a .450 batting average and showed off his power with 21 home runs at the 2021 All-Star High School Home Run Derby at Coors Field in Denver. He also hit 94 mph on the radar on the mound.
Snelling originally committed to Stanford for baseball in 2019, shortly after his freshman season in high school. He, however, de-committed from the Cardinal in 2021, as his football recruitment picked up.
He committed to playing both baseball and football at Arizona, but decommitted when Jay Johnson took the head baseball coaching position at LSU. Snelling eventually signed with LSU and Johnson, who first offered him when he was a seventh grader.
Snelling never made it to campus in Baton Rouge, as the San Diego Padres drafted him with the 39th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. He signed a $3 million contract with the organization.
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Robby Snelling, star linebacker
McQueen’s #4 Robby Snelling celebrate a touchdown with teammate during Friday’s game against Spanish Springs at Spanish Springs on March 12, 2021. McQueen whenn on to win 26-20.
Even with the success in baseball, Snelling was a star on the football field as well. In addition to playing linebacker, he was also the starting quarterback for Reno Queens as a senior, helping lead his team to the NIAA 5A State Championship game.
According to 247 Sports Composite rankings, Snelling was a four-star linebacker in the 2022 recruiting cycle. He was ranked No. 311 overall in the country, No. 31 at linebacker, and No. 7 overall in the state.
Snelling had over 20 offers from Division I schools to play football, including Oregon, Arizona, Auburn, and Arizona State.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Robby Snelling’s journey from two-sport high school star to MLB debut
