Twins Video
Over the next two weeks, we're going to be providing you with profiles of 10 players the Twins could take with the eighth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft on July 17.
Who is He?
Cam Collier, son of former MLB player Lou Collier, is a JUCO player from Chipola (FL). But that's not nearly the whole story. Collier was originally in the Class of 2023 class, but graduated from high school earlier and enrolled early in a junior college to make him draft-eligible a year earlier. (Sound familiar? Bryce Harper took a similar path.)
Collier, who is committed to Louisville, was destined to be one of the prospects of 2023. But now that's had a strong season at a higher level, not to mention making an appearance in the Cape Cod League this summer, Collier's raised his prospect status about as much as anyone could have imagined he would.
Why the Twins Will Draft Him
Collier offers all the traits that the Twins find very appealing.
At Chipola, Collier, with his sweet left-handed swing, produced a .333/.419/.537 slash line. He hit eight home runs and 12 doubles. He almost walked (25 times) as much as he struck out (33 times). He's doing this against guys two, three, four years older than him. Producing at an advanced level despite being only 17? The analytic-driven Twins must adore that.
Playing for the Cotuit Kettleers in the Cape Cod League, Collier wasn't as good. He started out with three hits in his first three games before going to the Draft Combine. He returned a week later and got another hit in his first game back. At that point, he had a .333/.500/.333 slash line with four walks and three strikeouts. But hit a cold streak after that, finishing one for his last 11.
Defensively, Collier had the glove and the arm to stick at third base. He's athletic enough that he could play in the outfield if he happened to be blocked. And even if fills out so - as 17-year-old eventually do - he has the offensive profile that he could play first base.
And not for nothing, the Twins have taken players with major league bloodlines before.
If drafted by the Twins, he would immediately jump into their top tier of prospects.
Why the Twins Won't Draft Him
Quite simply, it's either because he's gone or because the draft fell in such an unforeseen way that a higher-rated prospect (and I'm not convinced there's many, if any) fell to them.
Or - and there's no reason to believe this is true - he's given the Twins such a lofty bonus demand that they can't meet it.
There's also no reason to believe the Twins wouldn't be elated if Collier fell to them. He checks nearly all of the boxes. Is there any way you pass on Collier if he's available at #8?
MORE FROM TWINS DAILY
— Latest Twins coverage from our writers
— Recent Twins discussion in our forums
— Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email
— Become a Twins Daily Caretaker
- Dman, DocBauer and operation mindcrime
-
3
Recommended Comments
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.