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The Royals have signed outfielder Tyler Collins to a minor league deal, according to SB Nation writer Chris Cotillo. The 27-year old left-handed hitter has spent his entire four year Major League career with the Tigers, but was outrighted off their roster last November. In 183 career big league games, he has hit .235/.299/.380 with 14 home runs in 552 plate appearances and 140 strikeouts.
Tyler Collins 2018 Steamer Projections
— Patrick Brennan (@paintingcorner) January 18, 2018
.234/.300/.384, 80 wRC+, .296 wOBA, 26.4% K%, 8.1% BB%, .295 BABIP
Whenever I hear the name Tyler Collins, the first thing I think of is that one time he flipped off the fans at Comerica Park. pic.twitter.com/xnpArqfQ6K
— Patrick Brennan (@paintingcorner) January 18, 2018
Collins will probably be fighting for a roster spot in spring training with guys like Billy Burns and Bubba Starling. He has a lot of experience in center field, so he gives the Royals another option there with Paulo Orlando the likely starter as of right now. At this point, Collins offers pretty much no upside - he’s a fifth-outfielder at best, most likely a guy Omaha fans should get used to.