MLB Pipeline has been ranking the top ten prospects at each position on the way to unveiling their top 100 prospects on January 28th. Recently they named White Sox Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Michael Kopech as three of the best right-handed pitchers in the league.
However the White Sox farm system isn't all about top flight pitching. While it seems like Chicago has been focusing on pitching in their Chris Sale/Adam Eaton the trades, the team has a good amount of pop in the minors.
One of those players is catcher Zack Collins. Collins was drafted by the White Sox with the 10th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft. He went on to appear in 39 games, hitting .244 with six home runs and 18 RBIs.
As MLB Pipeline ranked their top 10 catching prospects, Collins was named the fourth best backstop in the minor leagues.
Jim Callis of the site wrote:
Collins offered some of the best offensive upside in the 2016 Draft and went 10th overall, earning a $3, 380, 600 bonus. He has big left-handed power and has been an on-base machine, though his throwing and catching skills are average at best.
Collins has some of the best power in the minor leagues. He should have a real chance to hit 25+ home runs a season upon his arrival to the MLB. Collins should hit in the middle of the White Sox lineup and be a source of power for years to come.
But the White Sox catcher's biggest weakness is his defensive ability behind the plate. He has weak arm strength and his receiving and blocking skills need work. Some scouts have said that he profiles better as a first baseman rather than catcher.
Collins will have to improve his defense behind the plate if he wishes to stay there as he reaches the majors. If he shows drastic improvement, there is a chance that Collins could be the White Sox catcher of the future.
The White Sox catching prospect has his work cut out for him, but he knows what he needs to do to reach the major leagues. Once he does get the call up, there's more than a good chance he becomes an impact bat for the White Sox.
Zack Collins will enter the season as the fourth best catching prospect in the minor leagues. In his first full season as a professional, he will have a chance to prove just how talented he really is.
While he needs to work on his defense, Collins could turn into one of the best power hitting catchers in the major leagues. It looks as if the White Sox got a great player when they drafted Zack Collins in the first round last season.
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