GLENDALE, Ariz. — In a perfect world for Zack Collins, this would have been the year the 2016 No. 10 overall draft pick carved out his niche as the White Sox’ No. 1 catcher.
But Collins, while showing some promise as an on-base hitter with power, hasn’t completely shed concerns about his catching, and when the Sox signed Yasmani Grandal to a four-year, $73 million contract during the offseason, the largest in franchise history, the message was clear. Catcher James McCann was also brought back for another year, and Edwin Encarnacion signed to be the designated hitter, slamming the door shut on another possibility.
“I tell everybody I control what I can control,” said Collins, who got the start at catcher in the Sox’ second game of the spring Monday. “Work, make minor adjustments every day and get better.”
With 26-man rosters coming this season, third catchers have enhanced possibilities, but Collins will likely open the season at Class AAA Charlotte.
“I don’t know that it’s a development thing,” Collins said. “I think I I’m ready for the big leagues. It’s just that right now I have two All-Stars ahead of me. The best thing for me might not be to play once a week or maybe not even that.
“If I can be a main part of helping this team all season ... but I need to continue improving my game for the good of my career.”
Much of Collins’ 27-game introduction to the majors was spent on the bench, taking notes from McCann and taking pregame ground balls at first. He batted .186/.307/.349 with three homers but was 12 for his last 42 with four walks and two home runs. The experience has heightened his comfort level at this spring training.
“Obviously the hitting part is fine,” Collins said. “Catching I feel really good where I’m at. There are adjustments here and there to polish it up, but right now I feel good about it.”
Zavala simplifies
When the Sox needed a catcher from Charlotte in a pinch when Welington Castillo went on the concussion list in May, Seby Zavala, not Collins, got the call. Zavala is more advanced behind the dish, but he struck out nine times in 12 plate appearances.
In the Sox Cactus League opener against the Reds Sunday, Zavala homered to right center field against right-hander Alex Powers, and he believes a more simplified approach at the plate will help in 2020.
“I was trying to do five things it once, even in my cage, and when you’re thinking about five things at once you’re not going to hit, ” Zavala said. “The game was going real fast for me at the plate.”
Zavala beefed up in the weight room, too.
“I feel a lot stronger, more relaxed, I don’t need to use as much effort hitting,” he said.
“Behind the dish I felt great. Now if I can show I can hit there’s an opportunity for me to stick in the big leagues.”
