Isaac Collins was supposed to be the big offseason acquisition for the offense, that would help put the team over the top and shore up some of the nonexistent outfield offense, that has plagued the Royals.
Well, the now 29-year-old outfielder did not do that. On the season, Collins played in 145 games and finished the year with a slash line of .213/.320/.321. Uh, yikes. Collins had 70 more at bats than he did in 2025 with the Brewers and posted 4 less hits. His extra base hit numbers were the same,
he hit 24 doubles, a career high, 3 triples and 6 homers.
Collins walked 64 times, which was 7 more times than in 2025, but he struck out 120 times, which was 27 more times than the year previous. Comparing his final slash lines, his average dropped by 50 points, on base percentage by 48 points, slugging percentage by 90 points and his OPS by 138 points. Collins left 213 guys on base this season.
The switch hitter was better against righties, slashing .216/.333/.327 in 306 at bats, compared to when he was facing lefties, where he slashed .206/.288/.309 in 136 at bats. Like many Royals, his home numbers were better than his road numbers. Remember he started like 0-30 on the road or something crazy like that?
Collins at the midway point of the season, had decent numbers. In the first half, he slashed .240/.345/.363 in 267 at bats. Not bad for a bottom third of the order hitter. However, the back half of the season was downright atrocious. In 175 at bats, Collins slashed .171/.281/.257. He was 4-54 in the month of September with 19 strikeouts.
Collins did still do some positive things this season, I know there was a lot of bad, as you can read above, but he had some moments.
Collins had 11 outfield assists this season, which led the MLB for left fielders. He had just two errors this season, one in left and one at second base. So, I know it felt like he was questionable in left field at times, but he was rather reliable. Because of mainly his defensive numbers, Collins finished the season with a 0.4 WAR, which honestly surprised me.
His Outs Above Average was -2, but his arm value was a +2, so they essentially cancel each other out in my opinion.
Isaac Collins will get another chance this upcoming season, but honestly, with some of the guys in the minors, waiting in the wings, he better produce. I am rooting for him like every other Royal.
How would you rank the first year of Isaac Collins as a Royal?
