Zach

Collier

Collier was the 34th overall selection in the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft but hasn’t registered an OPS greater than .703 in his three minor league seasons. The 21-year-old outfielder will serve the 50-game suspension next year.

Collier is now protected from December’s Rule 5 Draft. The 22-year-old former supplemental first-round pick batted .269/.333/.399 with six home runs and 32 RBI in 78 games this past season in High-A ball. He was busted for amphetamines in September 2011.

The 23-year-old is struggling at Double-A Reading this year, slashing .228/.307/.316 with a homer and seven RBI in his first 40 contests. He was dropped off the 40-man roster to make room for Koyie Hill who was recalled to provide much needed catching depth at the big league level.

Collier was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Friday and passed through waivers unclaimed. The 23-year-old has struggled this season at Double-A and is no longer a member of Philadelphia’s 40-man roster.

The 17-year-old Collier has ample power potential, but he’s another raw product for the Phillies. Neither Collier nor Anthony Hewitt, the team’s first pick, is likely to make a signficant contribution before 2013. Collier, though, was a fine value at No. 34.