White Sox prospect Zack Collins showing doubters he can catch
What a difference a year makes.
Last summer, Zack Collins was trying to show the Chicago White Sox and a legion of doubters he could do more than hit.
"It's tough because a lot people look at me as an offensive catcher," said Collins, the Sox's first-round draft choice (No. 10 overall) in 2016. "When you're looking at a guy play and you think he's an offensive catcher, your mind automatically says, 'He can't really catch.'
"I've been trying to prove a lot of people wrong, and so far I've gotten a lot better. I still want to be that offensive catcher in the big leagues, but I've definitely been working hard on my defense."
The hard work has paid off this season for Collins, who is going to play for Team USA in Sunday's All-Star Futures Game.
Catching for high Class A Winston-Salem, the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has thrown out 35 of 89 runners trying to steal, an impressive 41 percent success rate.
"I think this year has been great," Collins said. "My main goal was to make a lot of improvements catching behind the plate. I've done that so far. Just being in every pitch and working with the pitchers and trying to make them feel comfortable.
"That was really the main thing coming out of spring training, and my arm is still feeling good. Everything has been going smooth.
"The hitting will come around. I'm not too worried about that. It's been a great year so far."
Heading into Thursday night's game against Down East, Collins had a .213/.369/.402 slash line.
While the batting average is lower than expected, Collins was second in the Carolina League with 60 walks and tied for 10th with 10 home runs. The left-handed hitter also had 32 RBI in 74 games.
"I'm really stepping up to the plate and trying to put the ball hard in play," Collins said. "If it's a ball I'm not swinging and I'll take my walks. I'm not really trying to walk, but if it happens, it happens.
"I think for a hitter like me, average doesn't really mean much. I'm still getting on base a lot. I'm still putting up power numbers. I guess the average will come around with the eye I have at the plate and putting balls hard in play. I'm not really too worried about it."
Collins joins White Sox prospects Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech in the Futures Game Sunday at Marlins Park in Miami.
"It's a huge honor," he said. "I couldn't be more excited for this weekend. I get to go home for a couple of days. I have a ton of people at the game and a bunch of people who watched me play in college. It's going to be a lot of fun."