Last month, the Cleveland Guardians signed left-hander Kolby Allard to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.
A first-round pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, Allard was once a top pitching prospect.
He was supposed to be a star.
Instead, he has a disappointing 5.99 ERA in 272 career regular-season innings.
The Guardians figured they could take a shot at him and maybe help him regain some of the lost luster.
After all, he is 27 years old and can still build himself a career.
The odds were against him, but Allard has put himself in consideration for a roster spot.
Making the Guardians will be incredibly difficult, but his chances are not zero.
The numbers, in his case, have been there in the Cactus League.
“Including today, Kolby Allard has allowed one run in 10 innings over five outings this spring. He’s a non-roster invitee who continues to help his case for a spot in the Opening Day ‘pen,” Tim Stebbins of MLB.com wrote on X.
Including today, Kolby Allard has allowed one run in 10 innings over five outings this spring. He's a non-roster invitee who continues to help his case for a spot in the Opening Day 'pen.
— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) March 14, 2025
Allard allowed a run shortly after Stebbins posted that, so he now has a 1.64 ERA in 11 innings.
The point remains: He has been magnificent and deserves to be considered to make the 26-man roster.
He tossed three innings against the Seattle Mariners, allowing three hits with one walk and one strikeout.
The Guardians don’t have too many quality lefties on their roster healthy enough to make a difference, with Sam Hentges and Erik Sabrowski currently injured.
Allard might end up fighting for a roster spot with Logan Allen or Doug Nikhazy and stands a chance if he keeps pitching like this.
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