Chris Colabello

Chris Colabello

41-Year-Old First Baseman1B
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Chris Colabello in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers in July of 2017.
Inks minor-league pact with Milwaukee
1BMilwaukee Brewers  
July 18, 2017
Colabello signed a minor-league contract with the Brewers on Monday, MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Colabello, who was let go by the Indians earlier in July, will most likely report to Triple-A Colorado Springs with his new organization. The 33-year-old will presumably provide Colorado Springs with some additional depth at first base following the trade of Garrett Cooper to the Yankees last week. It was just two seasons ago that Colabello slashed a remarkable .321/.367/.520 with 15 home runs across 360 plate appearances with the Blue Jays, but his career has fallen apart since he was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs in April 2016. He hasn't resurfaced in the big leagues since and was hitting just .225 at Triple-A Columbus this season prior to being released.
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2017
2016
2015
2014
Following a breakout campaign in which he slashed .321/.367/.520 in 333 at-bats, Colabello was expected to provide solid value for fantasy owners. However, just 16 games into the 2016 season, the first baseman tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and was suspended 80 games. The organization didn't offer much support, and actually shunned him in some ways. Manager John Gibbons said players "come and go" in July when asked about Colabello's standing with the team. After his suspension was over, the 32-year-old was sent to the minors, never to return (not even when rosters expanded in September). Colabello spent the entire second half playing for Triple-A Buffalo and slashed a disappointing .185/.254/.293 in 157 at-bats. Now 33, Colabello will get a look with the Indians in spring training, competing for a backup role at first base and in the outfield corners.
Colabello's story of finally making the major leagues after nearly a decade spent independent ball was nice when he broke through with the Twins in 2013. But in 2015, at age 31, Colabello proved he not only could make the majors, he could also be a productive hitter. With the Blue Jays, who have made magic with so many right-handed power hitters in the past, Colabello found his stride and clubbed 15 home runs in just 360 plate appearances. He hit .300 against both lefties and righties and was a staple in Toronto's playoff lineup. Colabello has a penchant for strikeouts and will almost certainly never hit .300 again -– of the 10 qualified players to strike out more than 27 percent of the time in 2015, only three hit even above .260. Still, Colabello's home run stroke makes him a worthwhile 1B/DH target, and he can feast in Toronto's loaded lineup even as a semi-regular member of the lineup.
Colabello, a late bloomer who was undrafted and played independent ball until he was signed in 2012 by the Twins, was the International League Player of the Year in 2013 after hitting .352 with 24 home runs and a 1.066 OPS. While he struggled in his first taste of the majors in 2013, he won a starting DH role at the start of the 2014 season and began the season red hot by hitting .295 with 27 RBI. Colabello suffered a thumb injury on April 23, and he was never quite the same, proceeding to go on an 8-for-73 slump that led to his demotion to Triple-A. He then posted a lackluster .805 OPS at Triple-A. Colabello has shown great raw power and a decent walk rate at times the past two years and his thumb injury may have been the cause for his disappointing season. He could still find a productive bench role in the majors, but his mediocre defensive ability and age (31) limit his upside.
Colabello is the definition of a late bloomer as he went undrafted and played independent ball until he was signed in 2012 by the Twins. He parlayed a strong showing last year for Italy in the World Baseball Classic, where he hit .333 (6-for-18) with two home runs, into an outstanding season at Triple-A. He was named the International League Player of the Year after hitting .352 with 24 home runs and a 1.066 OPS. He struggled when called up the majors, however, hitting just .194 with a .631 OPS. He hit seven home runs and the rebuilding Twins questionably only gave him 181 plate appearances in the majors. Colabello has shown great raw power and a decent walk rate, so he could emerge with a role in the majors at some point, but the fact that he is already 30 years old limits his upside.
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Released by Indians
1BFree Agent  
July 8, 2017
Colabello was released by the Indians on Saturday.
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Fails to make big club
1BCleveland Guardians  
March 27, 2017
The Indians informed Colabello on Sunday that he wouldn't make the Indians' Opening Day roster.
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Representing Italy in WBC
1BCleveland Guardians  
February 10, 2017
Colabello will play for Team Italy in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
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Signs minor league deal with Indians
1BCleveland Guardians  
December 20, 2016
Colabello signed a minor league deal, which includes a spring training invite, with the Indians on Tuesday, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.
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Elects free agency
1BFree Agent  
December 6, 2016
Colabello elected to become a free agent on Tuesday, Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith reports.
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