Link to Article on The Red & Black
By Olivia Sayer
Georgia senior Corey Collins (6) hits during game four of the NCAA Athens Regional between UNCW and Georgia at Foley Field in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Georgia won 11-2. (Photo/Mady Mertens; MadyMertensPhotography)
Prior to Georgia baseball’s season, Corey Collins received a phone call from his newly-hired head coach, Wes Johnson.
“I want belief in yourself,” Johnson told DawgNation about his message to Collins. “I think Corey liked to hear that — that we coach off the positives.”
A little over a year later, Collins heard his name called in the sixth round of the 2024 MLB Draft. The New York Mets selected the Georgia native with their 173rd-overall pick, making him the second Bulldog to come off the board.
Collins had a breakout senior season with the Bulldogs that saw him hit .354 with a 1.346 OPS. His 20 home runs paired with Charlie Condon’s 37 gave Georgia its first pair of teammates to hit at least 20 in a single season.
Prior to Georgia baseball’s season, Corey Collins received a phone call from his newly-hired head coach, Wes Johnson.
“I want belief in yourself,” Johnson told DawgNation about his message to Collins. “I think Corey liked to hear that — that we coach off the positives.”
A little over a year later, Collins heard his name called in the sixth round of the 2024 MLB Draft. The New York Mets selected the Georgia native with their 173rd-overall pick, making him the second Bulldog to come off the board.
Collins had a breakout senior season with the Bulldogs that saw him hit .354 with a 1.346 OPS. His 20 home runs paired with Charlie Condon’s 37 gave Georgia its first pair of teammates to hit at least 20 in a single season.
Away from the field, Collins provided a veteran presence for a team featuring 28 new faces. He could have left after the program’s change in leadership but opted to stick with the school he loved.
“I have always loved it here,” Collins said. “The guys that I grew up with through my college career I just wanted to stay with, and then by the time I got to my senior year when all of the changes had been made, I had already fallen in love with this place.”
Collins came to Georgia as the No. 2 catching prospect in the state of Georgia. He spent his first two seasons behind the plate and as the Bulldogs’ designated hitter before playing some outfield his junior year.
After a hand injury cut his third season short, Collins was invited to attend the 2023 MLB Draft Combine. However, due to a combination of the crowded class and his injury, Collins did not hear his name called on draft night. The moment allowed Collins to return to Athens for his final season of collegiate ball.
Collins learned a new position during the 2024 season, starting 32 games at first base. The move allowed Georgia to play many of the outfielders it acquired in the transfer portal, contributing to the Bulldogs’ powerful offense.
Collins was a driving force behind Georgia’s first Super Regional appearance in 16 years, being named Most Outstanding Player in the Regional round. Throughout his time with the Bulldogs, Collins routinely came up with many clutch plays, capped off by his 2-RBI double and defensive play against Georgia Tech, that will go down in Georgia history.
Now, after getting back to enjoying the game, he goes to a Mets organization that has a question mark next to the first base position with Pete Alonso’s upcoming free agency.
“I just wanted to try to relax and enjoy the game again,” Collins said. “Results are everything, but it really has showed that if I just go out there relaxed, I can play a little bit better and I can help the team win.”