Oakland A's infielder Nick Allen is dealing with a minor back strain as he enjoys a hot start to his spring. It's unclear how much, if any, time the 25-year-old will miss due to the ailment, although he is not in the starting lineup Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels. Allen has enjoyed a nice start to his spring as he is 3-for-9 with a pair of triples, two walks, and zero strikeouts across 11 trips to the plate so far in Cactus League action. Allen has appeared in each of the last two seasons for the A's but has struggled mightily at the plate, hitting just .214 with eight home runs, eight stolen bases, and a .549 OPS in that time, production that grades out 42% below the league average, as per his 58 wRC+. He is not guaranteed the starting shortstop role and remains well off the fantasy radar entering the 2024 season.
Oakland Athletics shortstop Nick Allen is off to a hot start in spring training this year after going 2-for-3 with two triples and three RBI in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Cleveland Guardians. In three spring games so far, the 25-year-old has seven total bases, five RBI, three hits, a walk, a stolen base, a run scored and no strikeouts. "Nick has really focused on making an adjustment from last season with his swing," said manager Mark Kotsay. "He's worked really hard with our hitting coaches these first 10 days of spring in just trying to stay on top of the baseball." Allen was shuttled up and down between the A's and the minors last year and just .221 (67-for-303) with four homers, 20 RBI and five steals in 106 games. He lacks power and has a low fantasy ceiling for those looking for middle-infield depth in AL-only leagues.
Oakland Athletics infielder Nick Allen isn't a lock to open the 2023 season as the team's starting shortstop, according to general manager David Forst. Allen is probably still the favorite for the 6 to open the regular season, but Aledmys Diaz could also be pushing him for playing time at the position. The 24-year-old Allen is solid defensively, but his bat is lagging behind. In his first 100 big-league games for the A's in 2022, he slashed .207/.256/.291 with a .547 OPS, four home runs, 19 RBI, 31 runs scored and three stolen bases in 326 plate appearances. Allen should only be a middle infield option for those in AL-only leagues in 2023.
Nick Allen A Dark-Horse Candidate For Vacant Shortstop Job
Oakland Athletics shortstop prospect Nick Allen will report to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. The No. 4 prospect in the A's system is a candidate to earn a starting role after shortstop Marcus Semien and second baseman Tommy La Stella departed Oakland. Allen has never played above High-A, so his chances of being on the roster for Opening Day are low. However, with a middle infield combo of Chad Pinder and Vimael Machin currently slated to start, Allen could force his way into the Majors this season. The 22-year-old is a defense-first shortstop with little power so he's not a must-roster player in dynasty leagues. His primary asset in the Majors will be his speed so those seeking steals in deeper roto leagues should monitor Allen's progress in Spring Training.
