How White Sox prospect Zack Collins comes out swinging
INDIANAPOLIS - For fans in need of some positive news after watching the White Sox lose five straight at Guaranteed Rate Field this week, Zack Collins is an obvious option.
Just a week into his first season with Class AAA Charlotte and a mere level away from the major leagues, Collins has come out swinging.
"I've kind of been known for getting off to slow starts, so one of my main goals this year was to start off hot," Collins said before the Knights played Indianapolis Thursday night at Victory Field. "I'm definitely happy with it."
In his first 5 games with Charlotte, Collins has hit 4 home runs and most have been tape-measure shots.
"Obviously, 4 homers at this point is good for me and I'm happy," he said. "Just getting good pitches to hit and not missing them has been the key."
Known for his mammoth power as an All-American at the University of Miami (Fla,), Collins did hit 40 home runs in his first 274 minor-league games after the Sox drafted the catcher with the No. 10 overall pick in 2016.
With Class AA Birmingham last year, Collins had 15 homers in 122 games, but he got more attention for leading the Southern League with 101 walks.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has a great eye at the plate, but Collins wants to change his approach a bit this season.
"My eye has kind of carried me the last couple of years with the walks and the on-base (percentage)," Collins said. "I'm trying to be a little bit more aggressive this year, show more power and drive in more runs. That's what I'm here to do. I'm not really going to steal any bases or anything like that."
The left-handed slugger did drive in 68 runs last season, which ranked fifth in the Southern League.
Charlotte hitting coach Frank Menechino believes Collins can be even more productive.
"He knows the strike zone," Menechino said. "Now, it's about putting it all together. See how he adjusts. I want to see him use his good eye to pick out different parts of the plate, not just one part, not just covering the middle. With runners in scoring position, be able to use his eye to look at certain zones and drive in runs as opposed to walking."
Collins' ability to catch in the major leagues has been a question since the day he was drafted. Even though he's going to play some first base for Charlotte, the 24-year-old prospect continues to work hard to silence the skeptics.
"There's a little bit more work to do, but we made a bunch of adjustments in spring training," Collins said. "(White Sox catcher) James McCann helped me a lot with my set-up, and the way I'm receiving the ball is a little bit different now. I feel a lot better and I'm getting a lot of compliments and stuff. Just continuing to work at that and show that I'm ready."
Charlotte manager Mark Grudzielanek is still getting to know Collins, but so far he likes what he's seeing on the defensive side.
"There's room for improvement, the blocking can get better, but there are things he's definitely made strides on," said Grudzielanek, who is in his third season managing the Knights. "There's no question he's got the body, the strength, the arm strength. He's got everything you need to be a big-league catcher. And then you throw in the offensive side of it, which is well above average."
he bat is definitely going to be Collins' calling card when he does join the Sox, likely later this season.
"We all want to be there as fast as possible," Collins said. "I'm going to do everything I can to show I'm ready. Obviously, we have two veterans up there right now (McCann and Welington Castillo) and they've done a good job with me and showing leadership. I have a lot of respect for them, but obviously I want to be up there as fast as possible.
"It's ultimately about long careers, making the most money and winning as many championships as we can. But I don't want to get there and just be another guy. I want to make an impact and make an impact for a long time. That's my goal and that's why I'm not in a huge rush. I want to get as good as I possibly can before I get there."