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Collier, who underwent left thumb surgery in mid-March, was activated June 3 for High-A Dayton and then quickly promoted to Chattanooga, as he had already mastered High-A to close 2024. The thumb issue appears to have sapped Collier's power this season, as he hit 20 homers in 119 games last year and has three homers in 92 games this year, with just one of those coming in 71 games at Double-A. Given that Collier's plate skills have improved as the season has gone on, and that he has shown plus raw power as a teenager in the past, he's a worthwhile buy-low target this offseason. The lefty-hitting first baseman should split his age-21 season between Double-A and Triple-A.
Collier missed the first six weeks of the minor-league season while recovering from left thumb surgery. He slashed .338/.443/.514 with two home runs, a 15.9 percent walk rate and a 20.5 percent strikeout rate across 21 games while rehabbing and easing into things in the lower levels before getting promoted to Double-A on June 17. Collier has controlled the zone at Double-A (0.83 BB/K), but his power has been lacking since returning from the thumb issue. He is one of the youngest hitters at Double-A and won't turn 21 until November.
Collier, who was activated off the 60-day injured list Tuesday, made his season debut Wednesday. His stay with the Dragons is expected to a brief one, per the High-A Dayton website. Collier will soon move on to Double-A Chattanooga, where he had been expected to open the season prior to the thumb injury that landed him on the IL.
Collier was not in the lineup for Dayton's 5-4 loss to Lansing on Tuesday, but he appears to be healthy again after suffering a torn UCL in his left thumb during spring training and requiring surgery. He was cleared to begin a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on May 19, playing in 10 games and accumulating 42 plate appearances. Though he'll remain with Dayton for the time being, MLB.com relays that Collier is expected to move up to Double-A Chattanooga in short order.
Collier began the assignment May 19 and will eventually return to action for High-A Dayton after having spent all season on the injured list while recovering from left thumb surgery. He's played mostly at first base (seven games) during his rehab assignment, with one start coming at third base and two at designated hitter. Collier spent most of his first three seasons of professional ball at third base, but the organization may be preparing him to move across the diamond in 2025.