Houston Astros' Sixth-Rounder Collin Price Idolizes Leadership of Brian McCann

The Houston Astros' sixth-round pick, Collin Price, grew up a fan of Brian McCann, and now a professional player, he hopes to bring the same leadership on the diamond.

Kenny Van Doren | Jul 22, 2022

Tori Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat

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Houston Astros

Growing up roughly an hour outside of Atlanta, Collin Price was a Brian McCann buff during his times with the Braves. Once McCann was traded to the Houston Astros in 2016, the Price family watched more and more of the American League West club, everyone from the area loved their veteran backstop.

Price — who went undrafted in 2021 — was selected by the Astros in 2022 in the sixth-round when the organization pivoted from its collegiate arms race. But as relief settled of finally being drafted, the catcher was intensely motivated after not hearing his name called last summer.

"That hurt last year when I didn't [get drafted]," Price said. "And I think just coming back and having a better season and proving that I'm ready for the next level just shows that I have a lot of motivation, a lot of perseverance to be the best baseball player I can be."

Price begins his next step to completing the dream of reaching the majors. But as he enters the Astros' system, thoughts about McCann's play broke into his mind. When asked about the former catcher, Price was honest he could only speak on watching him, but there are aspects in his own leadership he derived from McCann.

"It just seemed like he was always such a great teammate to the older guys, but also the younger guys as well," Price said. "That's something that I tried to try to integrate into my game. Being an upperclassman these past couple of years, I have tried to kind of help the younger guys out.

"It also just seemed like he controlled and had good relationships with the whole pitching staff. That's really important at the catcher position. So that's definitely something that I took note of and try to work on every time I can."

Although he was selected just six rounds in, Price noted he had minimal contact with the Astros. The catcher attended a workout in West Palm Beach, Fla., this summer but arrived late, coming from another workout with the St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter.

Price took batting practice, caught bullpens and threw balls down to second base, but he never learned why Houston was interested in him. Area scout Bobby St. Pierre gave him the call after his agent did Monday right before he saw his name on his television.

"I really don't know what stood out to them the most but what I'm thankful for whatever it was," Price chuckled.

Price's improved stock came from offseason workouts. Mercer's strength coach Jackson Morris pushed the catcher to a new physical level which he felt during his best offensive season collegiately in 2022.

The righty slashed .315/.460/.626 in his fourth season at Mercer. He also contributed his success to former major league hitting coach Rick Eckstein — who worked with Price prior to the start of the 2022 season.

"(Eckstein) really opened up my mind to different ways to think about the game, the at-bats and the approach," Price said. "That's probably where the leap in offensive numbers came from."

Defensively, the 6-foot-6 catcher sees himself more versatile than what his frame may portray. Price's arm and athleticism have granted him starts in center field at Mercer while his size can extend him to first base.

"I take a lot of pride in my defense," Price said. "I have a strong arm behind the plate. So that's why in my college career, I moved to the outfield for a little bit because I could show off my arm out there."

Versatility will bolster Price's chances off climbing the system, and for him, he feels comfortable in the outfield and at first base. Price noted more reps and his talent could carry him to High-A or Double-A by this time next summer.

The last three days were a whirlwind for Price. He's packing to enter a new world in professional baseball and didn't know where to start. But as he joins a franchise with a deeper connection to him, he stopped and realized he rooted against the Astros last October.

"It's crazy because a couple months ago, I was begging the Braves to beat the Astros," Price chuckled. "And then you fast forward a couple months now, and it would have been reversed. I would have been cheering for the Astros to beat the Braves."

Price will sign with the Astros in Houston after his physical Friday, before joining the organization Saturday in West Palm Beach.

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Published Jul 22, 2022

KENNY VAN DOREN

Kenny Van Doren is a writer for FanNation's 'Inside the Astros,' part of Sports Illustrated. Kenny formerly covered the Astros for Climbing Tal's Hill of FanSided. Kenny also attends the University of Missouri where he studies journalism.