PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Former Manhattanville College pitcher and assistant coach V.J. Collins '14 will continue his baseball career at the professional level, as the Valiant knuckleballer signed a professional contract with the Tampa Bay Rays late last week.
 
Collins earned a tryout with the Rays organization last week and was signed as a free agent. Upon signing his deal, Collins was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Rays of the Gulf Coast League, where he will begin his professional career.
 
"Playing for a Major League organization has been a lifelong dream of mine, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity to play for and be a part of the Tampa Bay Rays," Collins said. "Those closest to me know the years of hard work and sacrifice that I put in to ultimately reach this goal, and they understand why this is so special. My parents and my sister have given me unwavering support since day one, even when everyone else doubted my dream of one day being signed by an MLB team."
 
"I am very happy for VJ," said Valiant head baseball coach Jeff Caulfield. "It is great to see somebody set a goal for himself as a knuckleball pitcher and achieve success, regardless of how many people told him that it would never happen. Everyone in the program looks forward to watching him as he begins the next stage in his career."
 
After graduating from Manhattanville in 2014, Collins pitched with the San Rafael Pacifics of the independent Pacific Association in 2015. He tossed eight innings over four appearances for the Pacifics, helping the team to its third Pacific Association championship in franchise history. He spent this past season as an assistant coach with the Valiants while also honing his craft.
 
"I want to thank Coach Caulfield for giving me the opportunity to keep playing baseball when nobody else would, and it is something I will forever be grateful for," Collins said. "Thanks also to both [former assistant coach] Billy Alvino and [current assistant coach] Chris Nardozzi for always encouraging me to maximize myself as a player and as a person, both on and off the field. And of course to all of my friends for being by my side and keeping me grounded throughout this amazing journey that has only just begun."
 
Collins spent two years in a Manhattanville uniform after transferring from Dutchess Community College, going 2-2 in 47.1 innings pitched as a Valiant. In his senior season, he posted a 2-0 record in 28.2 innings, including allowing only seven earned runs over his final 21.1 frames. He allowed only two runs on six hits and struck out six in eight innings to earn his first career win against Vassar College on April 23, 2014, and then spun eight masterful innings of relief against nationally ranked Misericordia University in the MAC Freedom Tournament in the penultimate appearance of his collegiate career.
 
Collins joins Dan Fiorito '12 as former Manhattanville players currently in the professional ranks.
 
"I also want to recognize Danny," Collins added. "He is the definition of a professional athlete and he is someone that I sincerely try to emulate. He has not only been an inspiration to myself, but to every guy who puts on the Manhattanville uniform."
 
Collins also is the third Valiant to sign a pro baseball contract, along with Bob Lasbury '96, who was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 1993. Lasbury will be inducted into the Manhattanville Athletics Hall of Fame in October.