Cleveland Guardians prospects: The age of Logan Allen is upon us

Logan Allen - no, not that Logan Allen, the other one - is finally getting his chance.

The Cleveland Guardians have called up the 24-year-old lefty and, weather permitting, he will make his major-league debut against the Miami Marlins on Sunday.

The Guardians' starting rotation is currently in a state of flux - you could also describe it as being in shambles - which means Cleveland is digging deep into its well of highly touted pitching prospects early in the season to help right the ship.

Allen is the next man up, which makes sense given that he already made 14 starts in Triple-A Columbus last year and has little left to prove there. Though he had a 6.79 ERA with Columbus in 2022 and occasionally struggled with his command, he came on strong to end the year and has picked up right where he left off in 2023. Through his first three starts of this season, Allen sports a 1.26 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, with 20 strikeouts and five walks in 14 1/3 innings.

Though names like Tanner Bibee (who is off to a great start in Triple-A) and Gavin Williams (dominating in Double-A) draw plenty of attention, and rightfully so, Allen is an exciting prospect in his own right, given that he projects to be a mid-rotation starter with a fastball that touches the mid-90s, complemented by an exceptional changeup and slider/sweeper.

But more importantly, Allen is a promising left-handed starter, something Cleveland hasn't had with much regularity throughout Terry Francona's tenure as manager. That alone gives Allen the chance to stick around for more than one start, as the Guardians try to navigate a world in which Triston McKenzie and Aaron Civale remain injured. McKenzie isn't expected back until late May at the earliest, and Civale is still working his way back from an oblique strain without much of a timeline for his own return.

But no longer must Guardians fans long for the days of lefties likes Scott Kazmir, T.J. House or Ryan Meritt. The second coming of Logan Allen is here, and he will likely play a big role in the future of this Cleveland rotation.