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Commitment Q&A: Cayden Collins to Utah

December 19, 2018
Arizona Scouting Staff
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With NCAA and NJCAA commits signing last month we will be checking in with a number of committed prospects in all classes to talk about their college selections. We recently sat down with 2021 Utah commit and Future Games participant Cayden Collins to talk about his decision making process and what sold him on the Utes.  Full video from the Future Games is included at the bottom of the article; check out the number of college coaches in the background. As always please email [email protected] or direct message @PBRArizona with any news or commitment info. 

PBR: What was your experience like being a part of the first Team Arizona at the PBR Future Games?
Collins : Being part of the first Arizona team at the Future Games was an honor and a great experience. Being a 2021 player and competing against the best freshmen and sophomore players in the country in front of 250 plus college scouts was a unbelievable experience and challenge which led to a lot coaches contacting me.

PBR: What role did PBR play in your recruiting process?
Collins: PBR played a big role in my recruiting process. Jordon and PBR have a lot of contacts that go to him for leads on players. Before the Future Games and all the other events at PBR I wasn’t getting much attention and after the 2021 Games at U of A is when I really started to get looked at.

PBR: Why did you choose Utah?  
Collins: I chose Utah for many reasons. Being able to compete in the very competitive Pac-12 Conference while obtaining a great academic education are the main reasons. After researching schools and programs Utah was the best fit for me.

PBR: What coach on staff was your primary recruiter and how is that relationship? 
Collins: Coach Crawford was the primary coach recruiting me and the relationship between us really grew over the past couple of months. I truly believe he was looking out for my best interest. He knew how important committing would be and never pushed me and wanted me to take my time and make right decision. He's a straight up guy.                                                                                                      

PBR: What other schools were you considering? 
Collins: The other schools I was heavily considering were Arizona State, Arizona and Grand Canyon.                                                                                                      
PBR: Where did the coaching staff see you play? How did your relationship develop with them?Collins: The Utah coaching staff saw me play at the Future Games and the Sophomore Fall Classic. After that I was able to get in contact with Coach Crawford and once they saw me throw again mutual interest started to grow.

PBR: Who has helped you the most to get you where you are today?
Collins: The people that helped me the most to get to where I am at today are my parents and my brothers, as well as Coach Mike Schiefelbein and Coach Joe Martinez who both began coaching me when I was nine years old. Jordon Banfield has also helped me get to where I am at today with his program, contacts and caring about my future.

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer/fall and what has that experience been like? 
Collins: The summer and fall team I play for is GBG Arizona 2021. It’s been a great experience, we play in tournaments with high level talented players.

PBR: What plans does the coaching staff have for you in your freshman season?
Collins: The Utah coaching staff sees me as a possible starter for weekend series' as a Freshman. 

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date?
Collins: I have many memorable moments when it comes to baseball. Cooperstown at 12, traveling to Georgia for Perfect Game National Championships, but I would have to say the most memorable is participating in the PBR Future Games. The treatment of players was very special.



View Full Profile

Cayden Collins

Class of 2021 / RHP

Rankings  StateRank: 18 / POS: 5

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2021
  • Primary Position: RHP
    Secondary Position: SS
  • High School: Mountain Ridge
    State: AZ
  • Summer Team: GBG Arizona 2021
  • Height: 6-3
    Weight: 180lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

Statistics

Pitching
86
Max FB
(10/14/18)
84 - 86
FB
(10/24/19)
71 - 72
CB
72 - 75
CH
(10/14/18)
68 - 74
SL
(10/14/18)
Pitching
Max FB
86
FB
84 - 86
View Event
Pitching
Max FB
86
FB
82 - 85
CH
72 - 75
SL
68 - 74
View Event
Position
7.19
60-yard
86
INF Velo
81
Exit Velo

Scouting Report

10/14/18 - 6-foot-2, 165-pound frame. Lean projectable body. Rated as the top uncommitted sophomore arm in AZ and his bullpen at this event made it clear why. Collins effortlessly pounded the zone with 83-86 mph fastballs from a low 3/4 arm slot. Tons of physical projection remains in his 6-foot-2, 165-pound frame and it's easy to see Collins sitting comfortably in the low-90's or better a few years from now. The pitch that stood out even more on this look was his 72-75 mph changeup that was thrown in the zone with fastball arm speed and big fading action, projecting as a future plus pitch. Breaking ball will need to be tightened, but was thrown in zone; would like to see it developed into a shorter, hard SL.

6/6/18 - 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame. Wiry body. RHP/IF Cayden Collins is intriguing as a position player, but has a chance to be a premium prospect on the mound. Collins ran his fastball up to 85 mph with virtually no effort and a clean arm action from a low 3/4 slot. He showed the ability to throw his breaking ball for a strike and has plenty more in the tank as he continues to mature. With the recent jump, Collins has established himself as one of the top couple arms in the AZ 2021 class. Offensively Collins used a short, compact stroke and a linear swing path. Hands remained close to body throughout the swing, minimal extension; 77 mph exit velocity. Impressed with his actions on the infield. Positioned body and played through the ball very well. Kept feet moving the whole time, solid rhythm. Arm strength was apparent posting an 86 mph infield velocity. Also posted a 7.19 60-yard dash.

1/28/18 - 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame with lots of physical projection remaining. Profiles best on the mound where he worked 77-79, T80 with his fastball. Manages to get plane on his FB from a low ¾ arm slot while working slightly across his body. Very low effort delivery with short stride. 65-69 mph curveball shows downward break and will improve as he tightens the rotation and creates later break. Arm action/slot may fit a slider or slurve with more lateral break better. Also mixed in 69-72 mph changeup. 

1/7/18 - Projectable, high-waisted 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame with broad shoulders. Will certainly be one to follow moving forward. Two-way prospect is currently more advanced as a RHP where he ran his fastball up to 79 with very little effort. Uses slight across body delivery and low ¾ arm slot to produce good angles on all of his pitches. Also mixed in 67-68 mph curveball with short, 11-5 break and 69-70 mph changeup with fading action despite inconsistent arm speed. Collins also shows soft hands on the infield and is an effortless mover, throwing 79 mph across the diamond from a lower arm slot. He consistently found the barrel with his flat bat path and produced 81 mph exit velocity that will jump significantly with increased physical strength. 7.38 60-yard dash.


Videos

(8/2/18)

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