The Chicago White Sox have signed catcher Zack Collins, their first-round pick (No. 10 overall) in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft, to a minor-league contract with a $3,380,600-million signing bonus.
Collins, 21, is a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award after batting .363 (69-190) with 10 doubles, 16 home runs, 59 RBI, 54 runs scored, one stolen base, 78 walks, a .544 on-base percentage and .668 slugging percentage in 62 games for the University of Miami (Fla.) this season. He ranked among Division I leaders in walks (1st), on-base percentage (2nd) and home runs (T24th).
"We are extremely excited to add a player of Zack's caliber to our organization," said Rick Hahn, White Sox senior vice president/general manager. "In addition to his baseball skills, Zack impressed us all with his maturity, leadership, competitiveness and passion for the game."
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Collins was named First Team All-American by Baseball America and to the Coral Gables Regional All-Tournament Team in 2016. He was a semifinalist for the USA Baseball Golden Spikes and Dick Howser Awards.
Collins led the Hurricanes to the opening round of the 2016 College World Series, where they were eliminated by UC Santa Barbara. He went 3-5 (.600) with one double, one home run, two RBI, one run scored and three walks in two games of the College World Series.
"Playing professional baseball is a dream come true," said Collins. "I want to thank all of my family, friends, coaches and teammates for their roles in helping me reach this point in my life, and I'm excited to start the next phase of my baseball career and development with the White Sox."
Collins, who hits left-handed, batted .319 (203-637) with 38 doubles, eight triples, 42 homers, 183 RBI, 147 runs scored, eight steals, 177 walks, a .472 on-base percentage and .601 slugging percentage in 189 games over three seasons with Miami.
Collins is scheduled to throw out a ceremonial first pitch tomorrow at U.S. Cellular Field before the White Sox game vs. Toronto.