Collop Can’t Lose

Justin Collop recorded his fifth win of the season Wednesday night in his second start for the Dash.  The win pushes his record to 5-0 on the year. Collop has earned a win in eight straight decisions, which means it has been more than a year since he suffered a loss. Primarily used as a reliever for the Dash in 2012, Collop is familiar working as a starter.

Justin Collop is 5-0 with a 3.06 ERA for the Dash in 2012 (Jody Stewart/W-S Dash).

The Wayne, Michigan native was drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 draft. Collop was a two-year starter at the University of Toledo and initially brought into the White Sox system as a starting pitcher. He made seven starts with rookie-level Great Falls before suffering a groin injury. The remainder of the 2009 season was spent pitching out of the bullpen.

Collop returned to the rotation in 2010 for Kannapolis making 26 starts for the Intimidators. He finished with a 9-12 record but to just look at that number would not illustrate the highs that foreshadowed the start of a successful pitching run. Collop compiled three complete games during the 2010 season and averaged five strikeouts an outing.

The 2011 season began in Winston-Salem where Collop suffered losses in his first three decisions. Yet, since May 28, 2011, Collop has not suffered a defeat. His final two starts for the Dash in 2011 were wins, including a six-inning, one-hit gem over Frederick June 24. In fact, the only setback Collop suffered was a right arm injury that shelved him for over a month. Collop returned from injury in August and was sent to Kannapolis where he compiled a win and two saves.

The bullpen has been Collop’s home this year for the Dash, but he has made two starts for Winston-Salem, going four innings on May 19 and five Wednesday night. He also was a de facto starter on May 25, earning a win in five innings of work when Dash starter Jake Petricka left after being hit in the elbow by the first batter of the night. Whether it is the bullpen or the rotation, Collop has been a steady arm for the Dash this season.

The Dash look to take 4-of-5 from Frederick tonight before heading into a big weekend series against division rival Carolina. Join us starting at 6:45 for the Pregame Dash, with first pitch slated for 7:00.

-Mike