Corey Collins

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #182 prospect in 2024 draft
  School: Georgia Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
  Age At Draft: 22.8
  BA Grade: 40/High
  Tools: Hit: 45. Power: 55. Run: 40. Field: 45. Arm: 55.
  
  Collins ranked as the No. 139 prospect in the 2020 class out of high school thanks to his standout raw power as a catcher, but he made it to campus at Georgia, where his prospect status faded a bit after three mediocre seasons. He went undrafted after his 2023 junior season, but made adjustments in 2024 that led to the best season of his career where he hit .354/.574/.772 with 20 home runs and the best on-base percentage in D-I baseball—making him an elite leadoff hitter in front of potential 1-1 pick Charlie Condon. Collins put the bat head in a more vertical position this spring which helped him loosen up in the box and get his hands in a better hitting position with more consistency. He’d always shown a strong batting eye, but contact issues prevented him from tapping into his power. That was not a problem this spring, as he made contact at a 79% clip compared to a 74% clip in his first three seasons with a career-low 13.1% strikeout rate and career-high 23% walk rate—one of the best marks in the country. Collins is now a straight first-base prospect with catching an unlikely proposition for him, but his lefthanded power, improved contact and on-base skills should make him a target somewhere in the middle of the draft’s second day.
• Ranked #327 prospect in 2023 draft
  School: Georgia Source: 4YR
  
  Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
  Age At Draft: 21.8
  Collins showed plenty of power out of high school as a member of the 2020 class, but injuries limited the amount of time he played on the showcase circuit and he made it to campus at Georgia after ranking as the No. 139 player in the class. Now a 6-foot-3, 220-pound catcher and outfielder, Collins has solid raw power and has shown a selective eye and on-base skills during his three years at Georgia. He’s never hit above .300 in a single season however, and also has more raw power than game power. In 2023, Collins hit .267/.415/.505 with just six home runs, but with an 18.5% strikeout rate and 15.6% walk rate. He’s always shown a solid approach at the plate, but his contact ability is well below-average and he especially struggles to barrel up breaking balls and offspeed offerings. Collins will need to find a way to tap into more of his above-average power in pro ball, particularly if he’s not going to stick behind the plate. He has a plus arm that could serve nicely at the catcher position, but he has a long way to go with his actions and receiving ability to make that work and he played significantly more right field than catcher this spring.
• Ranked #139 prospect in 2020 draft
  Collins wasn’t seen as frequently over the summer showcase circuit after dealing with injuries, but is a strong, lefthanded-hitting catcher with power potential and solid catch-and-throw ability. A 6-foot-3, 210-pound Georgia commit, Collins is likely hurt by the shortened 2020 season more than most players because scouts simply weren’t able to get as many looks as some of the other notable prep players on the summer circuit. Those who have seen Collins see a catcher with good receiving ability and average arm strength and accuracy. The bat is more of the calling card with Collins at this point, and he’s shown plenty of natural strength, good bat speed and feel for the barrel. Collins has shown a mature, all-fields approach and is a solid runner for a catcher as well. Some scouts believed Collins was a candidate to move up draft boards with a strong spring thanks to his solid all-around toolset, but he is expected to be a tough sign in general and that could make things even more difficult for clubs who are worried about their lack of evaluations.