Collins attended high school at Worcester Technical High School in Worcester, Massachusetts which compiled a record of 91–5 during his four years there.[1] Collins was overlooked by baseball scouts because of his size, standing at only 5'7".[1] His senior year, Collins threw a no-hitter against Auburn High School in the district championship game.[2]
Toronto Blue Jays' general managerJ. P. Ricciardi discovered Collins after he was pitching in an American Legion Baseball game.[3] After going undrafted, Collins signed with the Blue Jays out of high school as an undrafted free agent and began his professional career in 2007 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.[4] His 14 saves ranked him third in the entire Blue Jays organization in that category.[5] In 2009, 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.[6] 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 771⁄3innings pitched. Collins was rated as having the best curveball in the Blue Jays organization by Baseball America in 2010.[7] Collins was selected as the Toronto Blue Jays organization's Postseason Player of the Year by MLB.com.[8]
On March 31, 2011, Collins made his MLB 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. On August 14, 2012, he set the Royals single season strikeout record for a left handed reliever. Collins finished the 2012 season with 93 strikeouts, second place among all Major League left-handed relievers behind the Reds Aroldis Chapman.[11] Overall in 2012 Collins pitched 69+2⁄3 innings with an ERA of 3.36 and a record of 5–4.[11] On March 11, 2015, Collins underwent Tommy John surgery and was ruled out for the entire 2015 season.[12][13] An MRI taken in March 2016 showed that the ligament graft performed during the operation was not successful, and another Tommy John surgery had to be performed.[14] On November 18, 2016, Collins elected free agency.[15]
Washington Nationals
On December 13, 2016, Collins signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals.[16] He split the 2017 season between the rookie–level Gulf Coast Nationals, High–A Potomac Nationals, and Double–A Harrisburg Senators. In 18 combined games between the three affiliates, Collins logged a 7.79 ERA with 23 strikeouts across 17+1⁄3 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.[17]
On December 15, 2017, Collins re–signed with the Nationals on a new minor league contract.[18] The Nationals purchased his contract on May 21, 2018. He made his Nationals debut and first major-league appearance since 2014 on May 21, 2018, entering a game against the San Diego Padres at Nationals Park in the eighth inning and getting two strikeouts, giving up one hit but no runs.[19][20]
Minnesota Twins
On February 6, 2019, Collins signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins that included an invitation to spring training.[21] He was released on March 22, 2019.[22]
Chicago Cubs
On March 24, 2019, Collins signed a major league contract with the Chicago Cubs.[23] Collins was designated for assignment by the Cubs on June 19, following the promotion of Adbert Alzolay. On July 23, the Cubs selected Collins' contract. Collins was designated again on July 26 following the acquisition of Derek Holland. He elected free agency on August 1.
Cincinnati Reds
On August 4, 2019, Collins signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds. He became a free agent following the 2019 season.[24]
Colorado Rockies
On February 5, 2020, Collins signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies. On July 27, Collins announced he was opting out of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He became a free agent on November 2, 2020.
Despite his small size, Collins garners good speed on his four-seam fastball (averaging 93–94 mph, tops out at 97 mph). He also features two effective off-speed pitches, a curveball at 74–77 mph and a changeup at 83–85 mph. The curve is his most common pitch when ahead in the count, and is a frequent offering with 2 strikes. His changeup is typically used earlier in the count and is mostly thrown to right-handed hitters. All three pitches have above-average whiff rates (including 51% for the changeup),[26] leading to a high strikeout rate.
