Picture of Ke’Shun Collier by Rich Biesterfeld
Welcome to the final draft pick profile of the Chicago Cubs 2022 draft class. It’s been a fun 10 weeks trying to get all these done as I learned more about each of the players the Cubs selected in the draft. At the bottom of the post is a table with links to all of the 19 players the Cubs signed from this year‘s class.
After signing, Ke’Shun Collier made his debut in the Arizona Rookie League. In three games, he went 5-for-10 and had an OBP over .600. He was an on base machine. And when I watch videos of Collier in college, he reminds me of the old-school centerfielders like Kenny Lofton, Juan Pierre, and the one dog, Lance Johnson. All those guys were known for their ability to get on base at the top of the order. They also had some speed where they could steal some bases. That’s what Collier does.
Basic Info
Height – 5-foot-8
Weight – 160
Bats – Left
Throws – Left
Age – 21
The Cubs took Collier in the 20th round of this year’s draft out of Meridian Junior College in Mississippi. In addition to the style of his game, he also fits in physically with the aforementioned players.
As a freshman at Meridian, he hit .357 with a .421 on base percentage and drove in 26 in 39 games. In addition he walked 14 times and only struck out 15. That’s a pretty good ratio and a balance that bodes well for him and his ability to put the bat on the ball to try to get on base. He did have three triples and six doubles as his OPS came in at .908.
As a sophomore, Collier did more of the same. In 41 games, Respring, he hit .378 with a .494 on base percentage. He had eight doubles this year with three triples and a home run. He improved his walks this year to 23 and only struck out. Again, he’s not just hitting baseballs, he is getting hits.
Callier also has plus speed. Over his two years of Meridian, he stole 37 bases in 80 games. That’s a good number, but it’s not a huge number. I wonder if the Cubs work with him to get him to use his speed more on the base paths. That sounds like a job for Doug Dascenzo.
Collier will most likely start 2023 in Myrtle Beach. I would expect him to be at the top of the lineup. I don’t know much about his glove work and his arm so it’s hard to say if he’s going to be in center or left or even do a little time as a designated hitter.
Collier is a guy who can hit, doesn’t strike out much, and just gets on base. He might be one of the most exciting players the Cubs have at Myrtle Beach next year. How high he can get is going to be based on how he adjusts to each level.
| Rd | Pos | Player | School |
| 1 | RHP | Cade Horton | Oklahoma |
| 2 | LHP | Jackson Ferris | IMG Academy |
| 3 | SS | Christopher Paciolla | Temecula Valley HS |
| 4 | RHP | Nazier Mule | Passaic County Technical Institute |
| 5 | RHP | Brandon Birdsell | Texas Tech |
| 6 | RHP | Will Fritsch | Oregon State |
| 7 | RHP | Nick Hull | Grand Canyon University |
| 8 | RHP | Mason McGwire | Capistrano Valley HS |
| 9 | RHP | Connor Noland | University of Arkansas |
| 10 | RHP | Brody McCullough | Wingate University |
| 11 | LHP | Branden Noriega | No affiliation |
| 12 | RHP | Mathew Peters | Indiana Institute of Technology |
| 13 | RHP | Luis Rujano | Sunshine State Elite Academy in Kissimmee, FLA |
| 14 | RHP | Shane Marshall | University of Georgia |
| 15 | C | Haydn McGeary | Colorado Mesa |
| 16 | RHP | JP Wheat | Next Level Academy |
| 17 | OF | Andy Garriola | Old Dominion |
| 18 | RHP | Garrett Brown | University of Georgia. |
| 20 | OF | Ke’Shun Collier | Meridian CC |
