KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced today they have acquired outfielder Isaac Collins and right-handed pitcher Nick Mears from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-handed pitcher Angel Zerpa. The Royals now have 39 players on their Major League Reserve List.
Collins, 28, slashed .263/.368/.411 (98-for-372) with 34 extra-base hits (.779 OPS) and 16 stolen bases in 130 games with the Brewers in 2025, his first full season in the Majors. He made 100 starts, including 91 in left field, 6 in right field, 2 at designated hitter and 1 at second base. He recorded 6 Outs Above Average in left field, most in the Majors among all players at the position.
Collins finished 4th in the National League Rookie of the Year ballot, after ranking among the NL rookie leaders in walks (1st, 57), RBI (3rd, 54), runs (T-4th, 56), doubles (T-4th, 22) and hits (5th, 98). He was named the National League Rookie of the Month for July, during which he slashed .321/.411/.436 (25-for-78) in 23 games.
Collins, a switch hitter, batted .279 (69-for-247) with an .802 OPS vs. right-handed pitchers in 2025 and .232 (29-for-125) with a .732 OPS vs. left handers, though 4 of his 9 home runs came vs. southpaws. He was one of five switch hitters in the Majors in 2025 to record at least 30 extra-base hits and 15 stolen bases, along with José Ramírez, Francisco Lindor, Elly De La Cruz and Geraldo Perdomo.
Mears, 29, has pitched for three teams over parts of six seasons in the Majors, including Pittsburgh (2020-22), Colorado (2023-24) and Milwaukee (2024-25). He set career highs with the Brewers in 2025 in wins (5), appearances (63), holds (17) and ERA (3.49).
During his six seasons in the Majors, Mears has recorded 174 strikeouts in 164.0 innings (9.5 K/9), including a career-best 75 strikeouts in 57.2 innings (11.7 K/9) in 2024.