Skip to main content

PhoulBallz Interview: Zach Collier, AFL Edition

On Saturday, the Peoria Javelinas won the Arizona Fall League championship in a winner-take-all one-game match up with Salt River, following a season in which the club posted a league-best 19-13 record.

Peoria, which was made up of prospect from the Phillies, Reds, Twins, Padres and Mariners, featured many highly regarded prospects. Phils minor league outfielder Zach Collier was among them and was a certainly key contributor all throughout the five-week long season. In 19 games, the 22-year-old California native posted a .371 batting average with four doubles, three triples, 10 RBI and three steals.

Collier, who began the 2012 regular season serving a 50-game suspension following a positive test for a banned substance in 2011, has had a slow rise in the developmental ranks after he was selected by the Phillies in the supplemental first round on the 2008 draft out of Chino Hills High School (CA). Along with missing time this year, Collier sat out the entire 2010 season following an injury to the hamate bone in his right hand, a left quadriceps issue and surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right wrist.

This past week, prior to the AFL title game, I had the opportunity to interview Zach about his time in the AFL, bouncing back from the suspension, his manager Dusty Wathan, his future and plenty more.

- I think this is something I asked you about in 2011, after your injuries, but, coming off your suspension and time missed in 2012, did you feel a greater sense of urgency to make an impact and post some solid offensive numbers?

I felt the need to perform well, of course, but I didn't want to put pressure on myself like I have in the past.

- You performed extremely well in the Arizona Fall League for the Javelinas. Is the competition there what you expected and what do you attribute to your excellent output?

Thank you. The competition was at a very high level and everyone here in the AFL is gifted. It was a blessing to be here and my mindset was to absorb as much as possible and compete the way that I know I can and focus.

- Plenty of players move up to the majors very quickly after participating in the AFL. After setbacks with your developmental time during your career, does being there, in Arizona with many top tier prospects, make you feel closer to the big leagues?

Yes, I have yet to see Double-A pitching until now and I like what I've seen so far. Every pitcher (in the AFL) is a prospect and I feel I have done very well. In my mind, the bigs are not far away at all.

- Presumably, you would begin the season next year with the Double-A Reading team. What do you hear from your AFL teammates and other friends about playing ball in Reading?

They all love it and really enjoyed the experience. As fun as it would be to play there, I don't plan on spending very much time there...

- Dusty Wathan, your manager in the AFL, is Reading's manager now and managed you with Lakewood a few years ago. What can you tell me about playing for Dusty?

Dusty is a great manager, hands down. In my opinion it's super important for players to feel comfortable with the manager and know that he is about making his players better. He does just that. His vibe in the club house and on the field makes it fun and easy to go out and compete daily.

- With the AFL title game on Saturday...how important is that contest, after weeks of hard work?

To me this is huge! I want to win...as always. But, I love this game and the feelings I get. Saturday will be a great day. We grind hard on the daily to get where we are. It will be a great reward to walk away champions of the AFL.

- Coming off a successful 2012, what are your goals for next year?

BIG LEAGUES!
_________________________________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

You can also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular

World Series Preview: Phillies vs. Astros

The Fall Classic is set to get underway on Friday with the Phillies opening on the road to take on the Astros in a best-of-seven series. This year marks 75 years since the first time a World Series was televised and this year each game will be broadcast on the FOX television network.  ESPN will have the radio broadcast and that feed can be streamed by using this link . Game 1 Friday, 8:03pm Eastern....in Houston.  RHP Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (18-4, 1.75 ERA).  In 16 road starts during the regular season this year, Nola notched a 5-9 record with a 3.00 ERA.  Nola has struck out 18 and walked three in 17 1/3 innings pitched this postseason.  Earlier this month, Nola tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings at Houston.  In 15 home starts during the regular season, Verlander sported a 10-1 record with a 1.64 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP.  Verlander has a 5.68 ERA and has not recorded a win in seven career World Series starts.  Verlander has 11 starts allowing one run or fewer in

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Ben Brown talks TJ recovery, O'Hoppe, cancelled season

Image- MiLB.com Out of action since last May when it was determined he required Tommy John surgery, righty pitching prospect Ben Brown is using the downtime of the pandemic hiatus to continue his physical recovery.  A 33rd round draft selection of the Phillies back in 2017, Brown made his professional debut that same year, posting a 2.57 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in 10 appearances in the rookie level Gulf Coast League.  The following season, Brown began to make a name for himself in the GCL, striking out 16 batters in one July appearance.  He would post a 3.12 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 10 games (eight starts) before earning a promotion and finishing the season with a pair of outings with Class A short-season Williamsport. Brown, a Long Island, NY native, opened last year with Class A Lakewood.  In four appearances with the BlueClaws, he struck out 20, walked four and allowed no runs in 13 2/3 innings and looked well on his way to making an impact on betting odds and available promo codes