Pirates claim Zack Collins off waivers from Blue Jays
By Thomas Hall
1 year agoAnd just like that, another former Toronto Blue Jay is off to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
On Wednesday, the Pirates claimed catcher Zack Collins off waivers from the Blue Jays, who designated the 27-year-old for assignment on Monday. It’s the second time this season they’ve lost a backstop to the ‘Steel City,’ after losing Tyler Heineman to waivers in May.
Collins was acquired by the Blue Jays before Opening Day, sending Reese McGuire to the Chicago White Sox in return. The left-hander appeared in 26 big-league games, hitting .194/.266/.417 with four home runs and a 93 wRC+ score across 79 plate appearances.
With one minor-league option remaining – the sole purpose of his acquisition in the first place – Collins was eligible to be sent to triple-A Buffalo without needing to pass through waivers first. In 36 contests with the Bisons, the 6-foot-3 catcher posted five home runs, 28 RBIs, a 107 wRC+ score and slashed .195/.361/.398 over 155 plate appearances.
The former first-round pick by the White Sox now joins a 50-85 Pirates team, where he’ll look to share catching duties with Heineman and Jason Delay.
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