UM Catcher Zach Collins Drafted 10th Overall By Chicago White Sox
Things are going pretty good for UM catcher Zach Collins.
His Hurricanes team is still very much in the hunt for a College World Series championship as it prepares to face Boston College in the NCAA Super Regionals.
But his ultimate dream came true Thursday night.
The lefty slugger Collins was selected 10th overall by the Chicago White Sox in the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft, becoming the first Hurricanes baseball player taken in the first round since 2010.
Collins, a Plantation American Heritage High School alum, has also agreed to contract terms with the club according to a report by Baseball Essential – receiving draft slot value of $3,380,600.
A Baseball America All-American selection, Collins hit .358 for the season with 13 home runs and 53 RBI – both team highs. The lefty also drew 69 walks as well as a .534 on-base percentage and .631 slugging percentage.
Collins, a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award honoring the nation's top catcher, will finish out his college season with the Canes before joining the White Sox organization.
Collins' allegiance to the Hurricanes has always been strong. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 27th round of the 2013 MLB First-Year Player Draft (No. 825 overall) but went to Coral Gables – where he quickly etched his named in the school's record books – instead.
"It's indescribable, a dream come true for me," Collins said in a statement released by the school. "I'm very excited to hopefully compete for a national championship coming up, and then get my professional career started for the White Sox. I'm proud to be a part of such a great organization."