MLB Top Prospects: Top 10 Catcher Prospects for 2018
6. Zack Collins, Chicago White Sox
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 2/6/1995 (23)
2018 level: AA Birmingham Barons
Info: A tremendous college hitter for a catcher, many had concerns that Collins big frame (6’3″, 215-230 pounds) would keep him from being able to stick behind the plate at the pro level. While he’s still not an elite defender by any means, he has worked hard to remain behind the plate, and the White Sox have shown a willingness throughout their system to sacrifice some level of glove work behind the plate for bat as long as consistent framing is still there.
No matter your opinion of his catching work, Collins definitely has plus power throughout the field and an excellent ability to take a walk, though he has a swing with a bit of a long load, which can lead to less quality contact when he misses on a pitch, leading to a lower batting average (.224 in 2017).
With work on shortening that load time, the bat alone could carry him to a lengthy major league career, but Collins is making enough progress behind the plate to believe that he could end up being fringe-average as a defensive catcher, which could be enough if his bat is able to play to the top end of its projections.
5. Chance Sisco, Baltimore Orioles
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 2/24/1995 (23)
2018 level: MLB Baltimore Orioles
Info: Originally a 2nd round pick in 2013 out of high school, Sisco has always hit for the Orioles system as he’s worked his way up, but there’s been questions if he would be best moving to another position, though his offensive profile at other positions likely would not play as well, so he’s remained behind the plate, and to his credit, he’s done well pushing himself forward defensively to the point where the Orioles trust him as their starter at the big league level.
(Sisco has) done well pushing himself forward defensively to the point where the Orioles trust him as their starter at the big league level
Blessed with a short, quick swing more oriented toward contact than power, Sisco has hit .311 through the minor leagues, showing his ability to put the bat to the ball in a positive way, but he’s really began to see his power develop from slap power at draft to gap power, and then in 2017, he began to display some over-fence power that could lead to at least average home run production.
Sisco is not going to be a plus behind the plate, but he’s drastically improved his skills in receiving, blocking, and framing. His arm will always be an issue in the run game, but working with his pitchers in sequencing their pitches and throwing over to keep hitters close allowed him to do very well controlling the run game in AAA in the second half of 2017, so he could do some things to help with that lesser arm.
The Orioles made him at least their platoon catcher against right-handed arms, and he’ll likely be working toward the full everyday role by the end of the season if not by mid-season.
Next: #3 and #4