Chicago White Sox: Zack Collins motivated to prove doubters wrong
Zach Collins is out to prove that the Chicago White Sox made the right choice in drafting him in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft. He uses that doubt as motivation.
People doubted Zack Collins all his baseball life. Therefore, he wasn’t surprised when he heard the doubts voiced when the Chicago White Sox drafted him in the first round (10th overall) of the 2016 draft.
He certainly hears the doubters. In fact, he uses it as motivation.
"I see a lot of guys that said I wouldn’t be a catcher in the big leagues coming out of high school and now I’m kind of laughing at them because I’m on my way.It’s definitely been a fun journey. I’ve kind of had to prove people wrong at every level. Out of high school they didn’t think I’d catch. In college, they didn’t think I’d catch, and I did. Now I’m catching in pro ball. Just a couple more steps to go and I’m pretty excited for it."
The White Sox are also confident Collins, out of Miami (FL), could catch. White Sox minor-league catching coordinator John Orton felt positive the moment he saw Collins catch.
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"I heard all the talk of worries about his catching and said, I’m going to take a look at this guy. After the first inning, the way he received and moved back there, I said, Yeah, this guy can catch at the higher level.The skill Collins lacks is throwing, not arm strength but the timing of the footwork and when the ball comes out of the hand where the throws are accurate."
Of course, it takes a lot for a young catcher to learn. He needs to handle the pitching staff to go along with slowing down the opposition’s running game and blocking pitches. It takes some time to get it all together, but Collins feels confident. In fact, confidence is definitely one thing he doesn’t lack.
"You always need to progress and improve, but, in my opinion, I’m ready to catch in the big leagues. I think I’m ready now, but obviously you need the time and experience. You need to get to know everybody."
There is no question about Collins’ offensive prowess. In 2016, he hit .363/.544/.668, with 16 home runs. He hit .258 with 6 home runs in 36 games played at Class-A Winston-Salem. He expects to start the 2017 season at Class-A again, but he may not stay there for long.
The Chicago White Sox are gathering a stable of good, young talent. They stockpiled the minor league system this offseason, using a similar tactic their crosstown rivals, the Chicago Cubs, used. That plan resulted in the Northsiders finally breaking through and winning their first World Series since 1908.
Next: White Sox predictions for 2017
It took the Cubs about half a decade to turn things around. The White Sox may not be ready now, but with players like Collins waiting in the wings, they hope they have similar results.