DETROIT -- White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease has talked on a few occasions this season about feeling like a different pitcher presently in comparison to his first big league start on July 3.

Count catcher Zack Collins in that same category, seeing great changes between now and his first plate appearance against the Cubs on June 19.

“One hundred percent,” Collins said. “I feel way more comfortable, starting from the on-deck circle to getting in the box. Seeing the ball better. Still swinging at good pitches.

“For most people it takes time. Most people get sent back down to Triple-A once or twice and hopefully I never have to go back down there again. Everybody that I’ve talked to has learning situations and stuff like that.”

Collins finished 2-for-26 with 14 strikeouts during his first 2019 stint with the White Sox, but it was almost a necessary failure for the team’s top pick in the 2016 Draft in order for him to make the changes back at Triple-A Charlotte for future success. Since his return, Collins is 8-for-44 with two home runs and five RBIs but feels as if the changes have positively taken root.

Some people have pointed to Collins’ new approach looking like vintage Josh Hamilton, a comparison a smiling Collins can see a little bit.

“We weren’t really trying to emulate anybody," Collins said. "It’s crazy how some things just happen like that. I feel good with where I’m at. Obviously there’s still a ton of adjustments to be made, so I’ll continue to learn.”

James McCann received praise from Collins for what the more veteran catcher has taught him during the season and for his continued assistance in preparation. White Sox manager Rick Renteria also mentioned bullpen catcher Miguel Gonzalez working with Collins on his receiving, blocking and setting up behind the plate.

This learning process is geared for Collins to be a White Sox catching option of the future, with the future possibly being 2020.

“There's a lot to still learn and it's not an easy job to catch,” Renteria said. “It's a very demanding position to know every single pitcher you have, to know what they like, what they don't like, and then still be an individual that tries to give you some offensive help as well. So, he's learning, he's growing.”

“It’s a good thing that I’m up here now and they are telling me things I need to work on for the offseason and what they want to see when I come in in spring,” Collins said. “Just do that work and come in ready to go and prove I can be one of the guys on this team for next year.”

White Sox like Abreu getting defensive
José Abreu and Chicago's coaching staff had a discussion in 2017 during an especially rough time for him defensively as to whether he wanted to be a first baseman or a designated hitter. Abreu was determined to be a solid defensive player as well as an elite offensive presence, putting in the extra work with bench coach Joe McEwing to reach that level in ’19.

“First and foremost, I need to thank Super Joe [McEwing],” said Abreu through interpreter Billy Russo. “I’ve been working with him day in and day out since Spring Training, trying to improve. All that effort, all that work has been paying off.”

“He made every adjustment he could to continue to improve,” Renteria said. “He worked very very hard. Joe and he did a lot of stuff to continue to grow his confidence and allow him to take advantage of the skills he has.”

Renteria also mentioned Abreu changed mitts at first base, getting rid of the old one which had a huge pocket.

“Most of it had more to do with being anticipatory, expecting every ball to be hit to you,” Renteria said. “That was the first piece of the puzzle, which allowed ... his reactions [to be] a little quicker.”

Renteria keeps going
Despite his ongoing recovery from right rotator cuff surgery, Renteria intends to get to Arizona Fall League games after the season ends.

“I’ll be able to hopefully catch a few games,” Renteria said. “Just to put my eyes on them.”

Renteria also might take a trip to the Dominican Republic to see prospects there.

He said it
“I still think we need a couple of more hitters, a few more veteran hitters, I still think we need more pitching. You'll never have enough pitching. But coupled with the guys that are showing what they're capable of doing now with us, I'm very confident that we're expecting to be on the other side of where we're at.” -- Renteria on an important White Sox offseason.