Tim Collins (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Timothy "Tim" Collins is an American
-born professional baseball
player currently playing for the Kansas City Royals
.
in Worcester, Massachusetts which compiled a record of 91–5 during his four years there. Collins was overlooked by baseball scouts because of his small size, standing at only 5'7", though some claim he is no taller than 5'5". His senior year, Collins threw a no-hitter
against Auburn High School
in the district championship game.
J. P. Ricciardi discovered Collins after he was pitching in an American Legion Baseball
game. Collins began his professional career in with the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays of the Gulf Coast League
Northern Division. In 7 games, Collins was involved in no decisions and had an ERA
of 4.50. The next season, Collins was promoted to the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts
of the Midwest League
. That season, Collins went 4–2 with a 1.58 ERA, 98 strikeouts, and 14 saves in 49 games, all in relief. He was fifth in the league in ERA that season. His 14 saves ranked him third in the entire Blue Jays organization in that category. In , Collins began the season with the Class-A Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays
of the Florida State League
. In 40 games with Dunedin, he went 7–4 with a 2.37 ERA, 99 strikeouts, and 3 saves. He was named to the Florida State League All-Star team that season. Collins was later promoted to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats
of the Eastern League. Collins compiled a record of 2–3 with a 5.68 ERA, and 17 strikeouts in 9 games with New Hampshire. On the season, Collins had a combined record of 9–7 with a 2.91 ERA in 77 innings pitched
. Collins was rated as having the best curveball
in the Blue Jays organization by Baseball America
in . Collins was selected as the Toronto Blue Jays organization's Postseason Player of the Year by MLB.com
.
and Alex Gonzalez as Yunel Escobar
and Jo-Jo Reyes
went to Toronto.
and Gregor Blanco
for Rick Ankiel
and Kyle Farnsworth
.
On March 31, 2011, Collins made his Major League debut against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, pitching one inning. He did not allow a run and struck out Torii Hunter
for his first MLB strikeout. Three days later, he earned his first MLB victory by pitching three scoreless innings against the Angels in extra innings striking out five. He currently is part of the Kansas City Royals bullpen as a relief pitcher.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-born professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player currently playing for the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
.
Amateur career
Collins attended high school at Worcester Technical High SchoolWorcester Technical High School
Worcester Technical High School is a vocational-technical high school, part of Worcester Public Schools district in Worcester, Massachusetts. It opened on August 28, 2006, replacing the old Worcester Vocational High School at 2 Grove Street...
in Worcester, Massachusetts which compiled a record of 91–5 during his four years there. Collins was overlooked by baseball scouts because of his small size, standing at only 5'7", though some claim he is no taller than 5'5". His senior year, Collins threw a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
against Auburn High School
Auburn High School (Auburn, Massachusetts)
Auburn High School is the only public high school in Auburn, Massachusetts, United States, a town approximately 5 miles south of Worcester. It has an enrollment of 759 students in grades 9-12, as of the 2010-2011 school year. Founded in 1935, the original school building served the town until the...
in the district championship game.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays' general managerGeneral manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
J. P. Ricciardi discovered Collins after he was pitching in an American Legion Baseball
American Legion Baseball
American Legion Baseball is a variety of amateur baseball played by teenage boys in 50 states in the USA. More than five thousand teams participate each year. The American Legion Department of South Dakota established the program in 1925 at Milbank, South Dakota...
game. Collins began his professional career in with the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays of the Gulf Coast League
Gulf Coast League
The Gulf Coast League is a minor league baseball league which operates in Florida. It is a Rookie League, with a season running from mid-June to late August. The season is 60 games long and teams in the league are divided into three divisions, East, North and South...
Northern Division. In 7 games, Collins was involved in no decisions and had an ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 4.50. The next season, Collins was promoted to the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts
Lansing Lugnuts
The Lansing Lugnuts are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays, that plays in the Midwest League.The Midwest League came to Lansing, Michigan in 1996. The franchise began in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1955; after two seasons it moved to Waterloo, Iowa, where it...
of the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
. That season, Collins went 4–2 with a 1.58 ERA, 98 strikeouts, and 14 saves in 49 games, all in relief. He was fifth in the league in ERA that season. His 14 saves ranked him third in the entire Blue Jays organization in that category. In , Collins began the season with the Class-A Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays
Dunedin Blue Jays
The Dunedin Blue Jays are a minor league baseball team based in Dunedin, Florida. They play in the Florida State League, and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball club...
of the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
. In 40 games with Dunedin, he went 7–4 with a 2.37 ERA, 99 strikeouts, and 3 saves. He was named to the Florida State League All-Star team that season. Collins was later promoted to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are a minor league baseball team based in Manchester, New Hampshire. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays major-league club....
of the Eastern League. Collins compiled a record of 2–3 with a 5.68 ERA, and 17 strikeouts in 9 games with New Hampshire. On the season, Collins had a combined record of 9–7 with a 2.91 ERA in 77 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
. Collins was rated as having the best curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
in the Blue Jays organization by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
in . Collins was selected as the Toronto Blue Jays organization's Postseason Player of the Year by MLB.com
MLB.com
MLB.com is the official site of Major League Baseball and is overseen by Major League Baseball Advanced Media, L.P. . MLB.com is a source of baseball-related information, including baseball news, statistics, and sports columns...
.
Atlanta Braves
On July 14, 2010, Collins was traded to the Atlanta Braves with Tyler PastornickyTyler Pastornicky
Tyler B. Pastornicky is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Atlanta Braves.-Professional career:Pastornicky was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft...
and Alex Gonzalez as Yunel Escobar
Yunel Escobar
Yunel Almenares Escobar is a professional baseball shortstop with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-Early life:Escobar was born in Havana, Cuba...
and Jo-Jo Reyes
Jo-Jo Reyes
Joseph Albert "Jo-Jo" Reyes is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball...
went to Toronto.
Kansas City Royals
On July 31, 2010, Collins was traded along with Jesse ChavezJesse Chavez
Jesse David Chavez is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
and Gregor Blanco
Gregor Blanco
Gregor M. Blanco is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball.-Career:...
for Rick Ankiel
Rick Ankiel
Richard Alexander Ankiel is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently with the Washington Nationals. He bats and throws left-handed....
and Kyle Farnsworth
Kyle Farnsworth
Kyle Lynn Farnsworth is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently the closer for the Tampa Bay Rays.-High school and college:...
.
On March 31, 2011, Collins made his Major League debut against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, pitching one inning. He did not allow a run and struck out Torii Hunter
Torii Hunter
Torii Kedar Hunter is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.Hunter has taken away many home runs throughout his 13-year major league career by "climbing the fence" in the outfield. He has won nine consecutive Gold Glove Awards as an outfielder.Hunter resides...
for his first MLB strikeout. Three days later, he earned his first MLB victory by pitching three scoreless innings against the Angels in extra innings striking out five. He currently is part of the Kansas City Royals bullpen as a relief pitcher.