Collier's clout leads to Futures Game MVP Award

ARLINGTON -- As Cam Collier rounded second base in the third inning of Saturday’s All-Star Futures Game, he spotted his family in the crowd, pointing at them after his solo home run had accounted for the game’s first run.

“To look in the stands as I rounded the bases was definitely something I’ll never forget,” Collier said. “I saw them in the second deck. They were going crazy.”

As memorable as that moment was for the 19-year-old Reds prospect, there was more to come for Collier, who was awarded the Larry Doby Award as the game’s Most Valuable Player after getting the National League off to an early lead.

Collier’s home run may have been his most notable on-field moment Saturday but receiving his trophy from Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. might eclipse it when he looks back on this weekend’s experience.

“It was definitely surreal,” Collier said. “Ken Griffey is a player I have always looked up to; somebody you just watch on TV and be like, ‘That’s a guy I want to grow up to be.’ Being able to get that award from him was definitely special.”

Collier is the second Reds player to win the Larry Doby Award as Futures Game MVP, joining Taylor Trammell, who took home the honor in 2018.

With the game still scoreless in the third, Collier jumped on a 1-0 sinker from right-hander Caden Dana, the Angels’ No. 1 prospect, launching it to right-center field.

The ball, which clocked in at 105.1 mph off the bat, traveled 409 feet before settling over the fence into the American League bullpen.

It would have been a homer in 29 of 30 MLB ballparks, and the bat itself is heading to Cooperstown after Collier donated it to the Hall of Fame.

Congratulations to Futures Game MVP @Cam_Collier16! The bat he used to hit a home run in a 6-1 NL victory is on its way to the Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/sBqL4yG5Ef

— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) July 14, 2024

Collier’s blast jumped the NL’s win probably from 50 percent to 61.7, the 11.7 percent jump representing the largest of any play in the game. The NL tacked on three more runs in the fourth and never looked back, cruising to a 6-1 victory. Collier struck out with the bases loaded in the fourth inning before being replaced in the fifth, finishing his day 1-for-2 with the solo homer.

At 19 years, 237 days, Collier is the second-youngest player to earn the award, as José Reyes earned the honor in 2002 at the age of 19 years, 26 days.

Collier was Cincinnati’s first-round pick in 2022, selected at No. 18 overall. Collier, who had a brief taste of rookie ball in 2022 and played last season in the Florida State League, has been with High-A Dayton all season, slashing .231/.309/.405 with 13 home runs and 48 RBIs in 78 games.

The son of former big leaguer Lou Collier, Cam is currently ranked as the Reds’ No. 3 prospect and No. 84 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100.

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“It’s definitely a cheat code,” Collier said of being a second-generation pro. “He's someone I can always ask about any scenario I’m going through as a professional because he’s done it at the highest level. Being able to have him in my corner, and the relationships he has and my relationships, it's definitely something great to have in your back pocket.”

Collier went on to compete in the inaugural Futures Skills Showcase, and while he wasn’t able to pull off a historic daily double, he did leave an impression on Red Sox prospect Roman Anthony, who won the latter event with an impressive power display of his own. Asked during the postgame press conference which player impressed him most on Saturday, Anthony pointed at Collier and said, “Him.”

“That was a great swing he took,” Anthony said. “I've seen him for a while now. He's always been a little bit younger, but you would never know the way he plays, the way he carries himself. He's a great player and he’s fun to watch.”