The Braves added infield depth on Monday night time, buying shortstop Nick Allen from the Athletics. Atlanta despatched minor league reliever Jared Johnson again in a one-for-one swap. The acquisition pushes Atlanta’s 40-man roster rely to 38.
Allen has exhausted his possibility seasons, which possible motivated this transfer. Going ahead, he must both be on an lively roster or else faraway from the 40-man solely. All groups are going to be quickly dealing with roster crunches, because the Rule 5 safety deadline is simply over per week away.
As a prospect, Allen bought loads of consideration for his glovework. The query was whether or not or not he would hit. He definitely hasn’t produced with the bat on the main league degree to this point, as he at present sports activities a line of .209/.254/.283 in his 760 plate appearances. He has acquired robust evaluations for his shortstop protection, additionally spending a while at second and third base, however that offensive manufacturing interprets to a wRC+ of simply 53.
The leads to the minors have been much more encouraging. Over the previous two years, Allen has stepped to the plate 541 occasions on the Triple-A degree, handing over a .341/.428/.503 batting line. The previous third-round choose doesn’t must hit a lot to be a viable utility possibility given the energy of his glove. His Triple-A numbers are certainly inflated by the hitter-friendly nature of the Pacific Coast League, however they provide hope that there’s somewhat extra potential with the bat than he’s proven within the majors.
Allen has bottom-of-the-scale energy. Even his large manufacturing within the minors has include simply 12 residence runs in practically 200 video games. He has strong bat-to-ball expertise, making contact at a better than common fee in each Triple-A and the majors. Allen walked extra usually than he struck out this yr in Triple-A. The Braves have acquired related gamers, Nicky Lopez and David Fletcher, in current seasons. Neither spent a lot time on the MLB roster.
The 26-year-old Allen might have a greater alternative to stay round. Orlando Arcia had a dreadful offensive yr in his personal proper, hitting .218/.271/.354 throughout 602 plate appearances. That’s nonetheless higher than what Allen has proven in his main league profession, however Arcia’s maintain on the place most likely isn’t robust. Atlanta ought to stay available in the market for clearer upgrades.
From an A’s perspective, they’re transferring on from a participant who as soon as ranked among the many higher place participant abilities within the system. That’s disappointing however not stunning given Allen’s lackluster manufacturing to this point. They’re hopeful that Jacob Wilson is the long-term reply at shortstop, whereas Darell Hernaiz had additionally surpassed Allen on the infield depth chart.
Johnson, 23, spent this previous season in Excessive-A. He had a pleasant yr within the later innings, handing over a 2.60 ERA throughout 52 frames. The previous 14th-round choose fanned 26.4% of opponents however walked practically 12% of batters confronted. He’s a lottery ticket bullpen piece who shall be eligible for the Rule 5 draft except the A’s add him to their 40-man roster subsequent week.
Picture courtesy of Imagn.
