After an unexpected trade to Toronto, Zack Collins is hoping that a fresh start can help him realize more of his obvious potential. ✍️: ArdenZwelling
Again, the Blue Jays didn’t acquire Collins for his defence. They like his bat and the underlying numbers that suggest it could be a very impactful one with a couple adjustments. He’s clearly Toronto’s third option behind the plate, and much of his playing time is likely to come as a first baseman or designated hitter. But the Blue Jays do believe they can help Collins continue to improve as a catcher, which would only add to his utility off their bench.
That placement ought to help Collins with the weakest part of his defensive game — receiving low strikes. Ideally, as a catcher, you’re approaching those bottom-of-the-zone pitches with your glove starting below the ball and moving up towards your chest. But it’s not always that simple with so many pitchers trying to elevate fastballs in today’s game, working north with heaters and south with secondaries.
But while he was able to hit some very long home runs and demonstrate exceptional plate discipline against elevated competition — he finished second among all minor-leaguers with 101 walks double-A in 2018 — mechanical flaws in his swing began to get exposed by premium velocity, which sent his strikeout and contact rates in opposite, and unideal, directions.
“The trade definitely caught me off guard,” Collins says. “It’s pretty much the end of spring training, we’re getting ready to go wherever we were going, and then all of a sudden I get a call that I’m coming here. It’s been pretty crazy.The White Sox, they pretty much just told me thanks for everything. That they appreciated everything I’ve done for them. Obviously, I was drafted by them so it was a little bittersweet. But it’s part of the game.
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