Reds’ Cam Collier Named 2024 Futures Game MVP
In the third inning of the Futures Game on Saturday, Cam Collier crushed a sinker 409 feet into the American League bullpen.
As he rounded the base after putting the National League squad on the board first, he looked into the crowd. He spotted his parents and sisters and pointed to them, relishing in this moment.
“My mom, dad and two sisters were all here,” Collier said after the game. “It was definitely something cool to be able to do this in front of them and to look in the stands as I rounded the bases was something I will never forget.”
After his home run that started the offense in the National League’s 6-1 victory, he was awarded the Larry Doby Most Valuable Player award.
“It was definitely surreal,” Collier said. “Being able to get [the MVP] award from Ken Griffey Jr. was something special. And being able to come to this event and do what I did, I am definitely grateful and thankful for it.”
The National League appeared to be in control after Collier’s home run. The NL squad added three runs in the top of the fourth and added two insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings respectively.
Some of these players have played together since they were in high school, and you could see the chemistry between them. It looked comfortable.
“Just being able to get out there and play is like basically playing with my best friends,” said Collier. “It’s so much fun because we have been playing together since we were like 16 and 17 at events just like this when we were younger. Being able to play with your friends it’s definitely different.”
Collier followed the same path as Bryce Harper by graduating from high school after his sophomore year and then enrolling at a junior college. That made Collier draft-eligible after what would have been his high school junior season. The Reds drafted him 18th overall in 2022 out of Florida juco power Chipola and signed him for $5 million.
Collier’s father, Lou, spent five seasons in MLB from 1997-2004. Having his dad and his former teammates around to help him, shaped who he is today.
“It’s like a cheat code,” said Collier.
However, when asked if his dad would say that hitting today is harder than it was “back in his day,” Collier just laughed.
“Honestly he says ‘Give me a bat right now and I could hit .330’.”
