Thomas Collaro

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #21 prospect in 2006
  Power is Collaro's drawing card. He hits monster home runs and is developing into a better hitter, though he still has holes in both his swing and his approach. After three years in Rookie ball, he probably belonged in low Class A last season. The White Sox' aggressive philosophy challenged him with a jump to high Class A, and outside of leading the Carolina League in strikeouts, he held his own. He tied Winston-Salem teammate Leo Daigle for the home run crown and finished second behind Daigle in the RBI race. Collaro's long-term success depends on his bat, specifically his ability to make enough consistent contact. He doesn't run well or cover much ground in left field, though he has an average arm. His best position might be first base, though Chicago is set there for the next few years with Paul Konerko. Collaro figures to move up to Double-A in 2006.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #30 prospect in 2005
  Few minor leaguers put on better batting-practice displays than Collaro. One Pioneer League manager said last year that Collaro hits the ball as far as anyone he'd ever seen in the minors. He made tremendous strides at the plate overall in his third pro season, hitting a career-best .287 while finishing second in the league in homers, but it was his third straight year in Rookie ball. Collaro still has major holes in swing and poor plate discipline, chasing too many pitches out of the zone while taking too many strikes. He'll have to slug his way to the big leagues and the only way to do that is to strike out less often. He's no more than adequate on the bases and in the field, where he has played both outfield corners and first base. After a strong instructional league, Collaro could get consideration for high Class A, but he most likely will begin 2005 in low Class A.