The Cincinnati Reds have selected third baseman Cam Collier out of Chipola Junior College with the 18th overall pick in the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft.
Cam Collier Scouting Report
Height: 6′ 1″ | Weight: 210
Bats: Left | Throws: Right | Position: Third Base
Highest Ranking: 2nd (Keith Law/The Athletic)
An interesting route taken for Cam Collier, he’s the youngest position player in the entire draft. He won’t be 18-years-old until November. He was the top prospect in the 2023 draft class, but graduated early and enrolled at Chipola Junior College in order to be eligible for this year’s draft. The left-handed hitter put up a .333/.419/.537 line with 25 walks and 33 strikeouts to go along with 20 extra-base hits in 52 games.
One of the best hit tools in the entire draft, it grades out as a potential plus tool. He also shows plus raw power in his bat. His best tool cold be his plus arm strength. Defensively he’s a solid third baseman, but there are some questions as to whether he’ll outgrow the position eventually and have to slide to first base.
The sixth “tool” that isn’t talked about enough is pitch recognition and plate discipline. Collier, despite his age, has outstanding marks here, too. He’s certainly a bat-first player, but there’s a whole lot of upside with his bat and there’s a chance he remains at third base, too.
Cam Collier Video
Cam Collier College Stats
| Year | PA | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| 2022 | 215 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 47 | 25 | 33 | .333 | .419 | .537 |
Instant Reaction
This feels like an absolute steal. Cam Collier was ranked as a Top 10 prospect in this draft by nearly everyone. That likely means that Cincinnati will have to go over slot to sign him, but they’ve got a big bonus pool to work with and almost assuredly wouldn’t have selected him if they weren’t certain they could sign him.
There’s a ton to like at the plate for Cam Collier. He’s got all the tools you want to see from a hitter with a chance to hit for both a high average and plenty of power in the future. If you can hit then teams will find a way to get you in the lineup, so even if he does need to move off of third base down the line it’s not going to hamper his arrival in the big leagues.
Scouting Director Joe Katuska on Cam Collier
“We like a lot of stuff about Cam. We think he’s an extremely advanced bat. He’s a really impressive individual. He reclassified. Heshould be a high school junior right now. He decided to reclassify and go to a junior college and really challenge himself. We haven’t seen someone of his age do that since Bryce Harper did. Really advanced hitter. He’s been around the game his whole life – his father Lou played in the big leagues. Tremendous person off the field, too. We’ve gotten the chance to know him over the last couple of years at all the events he’s been to. We think he has a really well rounded package, but it leads with the bat and the very advanced hit tool.”
On being elated that Collier was available when the Reds pick came around
“Absolutely. I think I talked about it – there was a small group of players that were off the board in front of us, he was in that group, so we were very happy when he got to our pick.”
For information on all of the Cincinnati Reds 2022 Draft Picks click here