White Sox’ top catching prospect ‘honored’ to play in Futures Game

DENVER — Top catching prospect Zack Collins is batting .214 at high-Class A Winston-Salem, and for one whose left-handed bat was considered his best tool, that would seem to be a concern.

But it’s not for Collins.

“For a hitter like me, average doesn’t really mean much,’’ Collins said Thursday. “I’m still getting on base a lot. I’m still putting up power numbers. Average will come around with the eye I have at the plate and putting balls hard in play. I’m not really too worried about it.’’

Collins, 22, is second in the Carolina League with 61 walks in 75 games, hiking his on-base percentage to a healthy .369. And he has 11 home runs, 12 doubles, two triples and 33 RBI. Those numbers, as well as his pedigree as the No. 10 overall pick in the 2016 draft, put him on the U.S. roster for the Futures Game on Sunday in Miami.

“I mean, it’s a huge honor,’’ said Collins, who starred collegiately for the Hurricanes. “I couldn’t be more excited for this weekend. I get to go home for a couple of days. I have a ton of people at the game and a bunch of people who watched me play in college.’’

MLB.com ranks Collins as the 68th overall prospect, the No. 4 catching prospect and the White Sox’ seventh prospect behind (in order) second baseman Yoan Moncada, right-hander Michael Kopech, outfielder Luis Robert and right-handers Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Carson Fulmer. Moncada and Kopech are also playing in the Futures Game.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,’’ Collins said. “This year has been great. My main goal was to make a lot of improvements behind the plate. I’ve done that. The hitting will come around. I’m not too worried about that.’’

Ynoa DFA’d; Robertson is back

The Sox designated righty Michael Ynoa for assignment and reinstated closer David Robertson from the paternity list.

The 6-7 Ynoa, 25, was 1-0 with a 5.90 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 22 relief appearances this season, his second with the Sox, who acquired him along with Jeff Samardzija from the Athletics in the December 2014 trade for Marcus Semien, Josh Phegley, Chris Bassitt and Rangel Ravelo. Once considered one of the A’s top prospects, Ynoa has been used primarily in long relief and low-leverage situations.

Robertson, 32, was put on the paternity list Monday. His wife, Erin, gave birth to the couple’s second child, Violet Grace, on Monday night.

Gonzalez makes rehab start

Righty Miguel Gonzalez allowed three runs and seven hits in 4⅔ innings in a rehab start Thursday for Class AAA Charlotte. He went on the 10-day disabled list with AC joint inflammation in his right shoulder June 18.

Follow me on Twitter @CST_soxvan.

Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com.

The Sox are off Thursday. Here are their pitching probables for this weekend:

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