Catcher Austin Allen

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  • #198425
    bccran
    Participant

    Career OPS –

    AAA – .953
    AA – .857
    A+ – .850
    A – .790

    Hits for average and with power. Has had four 20 home run or greater seasons. And yet he’s only played in 57 games at the major league level since being drafted in the 4th round by the Padres in 2015. Short call ups to the major league level in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Is he nothing more than a 28 year old AAAA player, or could he blossom in a backup role with the Cards if given a chance? Good left handed bat off the bench?

    #198431
    GameCard
    Participant

    Free

    I love LH-hitting catchers.

    #198432
    14NyquisT
    Participant

    Cards picked up “DoubleAA” Allen in a trade for PB starter Guarte…. obviously to add some veteran catching depth. Pages has been struggling offensively and probably wouldn’t be ready to move up if needed. Same for Coulter who has been playing OF as well as spotting Pages. Herrera is on the taxi squad as a catcher is mandatory. The FO saw a need and filled it with a guy with a little MLB experience. Now long he lasts in the organization depends on the other Cs in the organization progressing.

    #198436
    Brian Walton
    Keymaster

    Paid - Annual

    How long he lasts in the organization would greatly depend on whether he is added to the 40-man roster. Otherwise, he becomes a free agent at the end of the season.

    And even if he is added to the 40-man, which seems unlikely, he has little flexibility with no minor league options remaining. So, he is likely a 2022 depth fill in to replace Romine. (Though Allen could come back next season to Triple-A if both sides want it.)

    This is probably why his acquisition cost was relatively low – a Low-A pitcher picked up in the last minor league Rule 5.

    #198439
    bccran
    Participant

    Could be that his dream has always been to play for the Cardinals, since he’s a local product. Went to Chaminade High School in St. Louis. Yadi might be his idol.

    #198441
    bccran
    Participant

    If he has always wanted to play for his home team Cardinals, he may want to sign a contract to stay here and compete with Knizer and Herrera at Spring Training next year.

    #198473
    CariocaCardinal
    Participant

    Free

    No one is signing Allen tô a Major League contract. Not with no options left. One of the reason I think the Cards dont sign a FA catcher in the off season is Because they should have their pick of minor league FA catchers. There could be no better place than somewhere were the incubent is retiring and the heirs have not excelled and Both have options left.

    #198480
    bccran
    Participant

    Minor league invite, CC. With a chance to make the major league roster.

    #198488
    Brian Walton
    Keymaster

    Paid - Annual

    I think the Cardinals will aim higher, but we shall see.

    #198615
    bccran
    Participant

    They probably will, but it would just be nice to see a kid from this baseball hot bed city get a chance to play for his home town team.
    It sure meant a lot to David Freese.

    #198643
    blingboy
    Participant

    Paid - Annual

    Defensive attributes would be a consideration for a backup catcher. Do we know anything about that?

    #198645
    bccran
    Participant

    Better offensively than defensively.

    #198673
    ZTR
    Participant

    Paid - Annual

    Runs like Hayes, hits like Mays.

    #198677
    Mrperkins
    Participant

    I could easily see the Cards try to buy an extra year of seasoning for Hererra with a one year deal for someone like Barnhart or Roberto Perez or collect Alfaro from the Padres or wherever he is exiled. Not earth shattering, but more of a name that the pitchers are familiar with. Yan Gomez maybe if he is available. Let them go the route of Gerald Laird, Matt Wieters, and that punk from the Reds as they have done before. Not that I agree with it, but I expect it.

    #198679
    bccran
    Participant

    With 4 seasons of 20 or more home runs (in shorter minor league seasons) and a career BA of .297 the guy sure can hit. Might be a nice asset to come off the bench in the late innings of a close game.

    #198687
    Brian Walton
    Keymaster

    Paid - Annual

    Yep, he is a good asset for Memphis.

    #198688
    bccran
    Participant

    As Robert Kennedy said, Brian –

    “Some men see the way things are, and say why. I dream of things that never were and say why not.”

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