Zack Collins, 1B/C, Miami, Florida

High School Senior

Bats/Throws: Left/Right

HT/WT: 6’3”/205

Birthdate: 2/6/95 Age at Draft: 18.47

Zack Collins Prospect Video, American Heritage School (via Steve Fiorindo)

At 6’3, 205, it is really hard to say that I expect Collins to stay behind the dish. It’s so hard that I can’t. I fully expect him to end up at 1B. Defensively, he is less than stellar behind the dish and at 1B. At 1B he has potential to be average. Behind the dish, his lower half is slow and his arm is below average. His pop times are average for a major leaguer in practice reps but I just don’t see that working in game situations. He would need to put in a lot of work to become an average or better defensive catcher and with his bat, I can’t see that working for out for the better for anyone involved.

Wherever he plays, his bat is going to play. He has some of the best power in the draft, not just the prep class. His wrists are fast and powerful. He has great hand-eye coordination. His uppercut swing creates impressive power. He has a wrist tilt at the start of his swing that really bugs me, but his bat speed allows him to catch up to good velocity and he may use it as a timing mechanism, I’m not sure. It could create issues against good velocity as well as good off-speed pitches but I really believe in his bat.

In the long run, I see Collins as a middle of the order hitter and a slightly below average defender at 1B. He reminds me of Mark Teixeira, just as a left-handed hitter instead of a switch hitter. He likely won’t be as good of a defender but could hit .270 with 30 homers and be a run producer. He should be a first half of the 1^st round but could slip into the 20’s. He is committed to Miami if he doesn’t sign.

Just a fun tidbit, he is from the same high school that recently produced Eric Hosmer and Deven Marrero.