Cleveland Indians: 3 prospects it’s too early to give up on

Logan Allen, SP, Cleveland Indians

Logan Allen came to Cleveland in 2019 as part of a three-team trade involving the San Diego Padres and the Cincinnati Reds before the July 31st trade deadline.

Allen joined the Indians from San Diego with teammate Franmil Reyes, appearing in one game for Cleveland in his age 22 season, covering 2.1 scoreless innings in a relief appearance. He appeared in three more relief appearances in 2020, logging 10.2 innings pitched and a 3.38 ERA, surrendering one home run, walking seven and striking out seven.

With Cleveland trading away Trevor Bauer, Corey Kluber, Mike Clevinger and Carlos Carrasco all within the span of two seasons, Allen entered Spring Training in 2021 with a chance to compete for the team’s fourth and fifth rotation spots with prospect Triston McKenzie and new acquisition and former teammate Cal Quantrill. McKenzie and Allen would earn those rotation spots, with Quantrill moving to the bullpen, earning them extended time as starters to begin the 2021 campaign.

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Allen made five starts for the Indians in April, lasting just 15.2 innings with an ERA of 9.19 and a WHIP of 1.72. Allen, as it turns out, did not have a manufacturer’s warranty to Cleveland’s Cuyahoga pitching factory and was optioned to Columbus immediately after his April 28th start against the Twins where he lasted just an inning and a third. He has not fared much better in the minors, lasting just 17.2 innings in five starts in Columbus with an ERA of 11.72 and a WHIP of 2.15.

Allen represents something the Indians need which is left handed pitching, especially a starter, with the only lefties on the roster being Sam Hentges and reliever Kyle Nelson. At the young age of 24, Allen has plenty of promise despite his inflated stats this season, but it all comes down to his 4-Seam Fastball command, a pitch opposing hitters hold a .389 batting average against compared to just .190 against his Slider. With proper development of his command and the potential to generate more swings-and-misses, Allen represents an excellent four or five starter in a right-handed dominated rotation.