Cleveland Guardians Sign Former First-Round Pick Catcher

Headed to Cleveland.

The Cleveland Guardians have signed catcher/first baseman Zack Collins to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training.

SIGNED: #Guardians have signed C/1B Zack Collins to a minor-league contract.

— MLB Transaction Tracker (@MLBMovesTracker) February 9, 2023

Collins bounced around a bit last season, playing with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Pittsburgh Pirates over the course of the season.

Overall, he got into 36 major-league games last year, slashing .155/.231/.320, with four home runs, 11 RBIs and nine runs scored.

With the Guardians already rostering catchers Mike Zunino, Bo Naylor and Cam Gallagher, it's unlikely that Collins makes the Opening Day roster. 

The twenty-eight-year-old is a former first-round pick (10th overall) by the Chicago White Sox in the 2016 MLB Draft. It's safe to say he hasn't lived up to expectations.

Last year, during his time in the minors, Collins managed a brutal .198/.358/.397 triple-slash line, with five home runs, 29 RBIs, three stolen bases and 17 runs scored over 38 games.
Photo Credit:  Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports