Zack Collins Strikes Out in only AB in MLB Futures Game
Former Miami Hurricanes catcher Zach Collins returned home for the first time since being drafted tenth overall by the Chicago White Sox in 2016. He struck out in his only at-bat in the MLB Futures game.
Collins returned to his hometown where he played both collegiately and in high school at American Heritage in Pembroke Pines. It was fortunate timing for Collins to be able to play in the MLB Futures game in front of family and friends.
Speaking to CSNChicago.Com Collins said:
"“It was always in the back of my mind…I knew the All-Star Game and the Futures Game were going to be here. That was one of my main goals was to get here. It feels great to be back home again.”"
Collins’ at-bat came with one out and runners on first and second in the seventh inning. He had replaced Orioles catching prospect Chance Sisco. Sisco had three at-bats earlier in the game.
The White Sox farmhand worked the count to 2-2 before he struck out swinging with no outs. The American Futures team led 7-4 at the time.
The two hitters following Collins also failed to drive home the runners. Not being able to get a runner home from second with no one out had to be something the scouts noticed.
Phillies prospect Scott Kingery flew out to right field for the second out. Bo Bichette, the son of former Rockies slugger Dante Bichette stuck swinging on a 2-2 count to end the inning.
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They had built a 7-0 lead before the World Futures team staged a dramatic rally in the final five innings. The World’s two out, two-run rally in the top of the ninth fell just short.
Brewers prospect Mauricio Dubon from Honduras grounded out to third with the potential tying run on base with two outs to end the game.
Collins is only hitting .211 this season, but he has been hitting for power and getting on base. The former Miami catcher has 11 home runs and 33 RBIs in 314 trips to the plate this season.
Collins has a .369 on-base percentage, .411 slugging percentage and a .781 on-base, plus slugging this season. He has also worked hard on his on his defense this season.
After only throwing out three of 18 runners last season, Collins is nailing 42 percent of base stealers for the high-Class A Winston-Salem Dash this season.
Collins told CSN he has been working hard on his defense this season:
"“This year I was pretty much mainly focused on getting the defensive side better because I know the hitting is going to come around…Some people are kind of worried about my hitting, but I’m not worried about it. It has been great so far. I feel like I’ve done great defensively and keep swinging it and everything will come together.”"
Next: Ryan Braun only Miami Alum to have been in Home Run Derby
This should not be the only time we see Collins in the futures game. Barring a step back or a fast ascension we should also see Collins participate in the MLB Futures game at Nationals Park in 2018.