The Cleveland Guardians’ bullpen has been assembled with pitchers coming from many backgrounds.
You have the elite trade acquisitions (Emmanuel Clase,) the hidden gems and late-round draft picks (Cade Smith, Tim Herrin, and others,) the free agent signings (Paul Sewald, Jakob Junis,) and even former draft busts, such as Kolby Allard.
Allard had an encouraging spring but couldn’t make the Guardians’ roster out of camp.
The 2015 first-round pick stayed in Columbus and quietly worked with a promotion in mind, posting a 4.86 ERA in 16.2 innings.
That ERA isn’t excellent, but his xFIP (expected Fielding Independent Pitching) was a much better 4.10.
Cleveland knew that while Allard doesn’t really get many swings and misses at this stage of his career, he still had something left to contribute.
They have called him up whenever they have needed innings, and Allard has definitely provided them.
Kolby Allard pic.twitter.com/hk3OlXtomS
— Wahoo (@cle_wahoo) May 4, 2025
In 11 frames with the Guards, Allard has a 1.64 ERA.
Again, the strikeouts haven’t been there (just three) but he has limited hard contact and kept Cleveland in games they had no business being involved in.
On Saturday, he tossed four innings and allowed a single run in Toronto to enable a furious comeback.
Everybody talks about Daniel Schneemann and for good reason, but the Guardians couldn’t have won that game without Allard.
He has offered Cleveland length and effectiveness.
Not bad for a draft bust with a career 5.82 ERA in the bigs.
The lack of strikeouts might eventually catch up to him, but for now, his contributions can’t be overlooked.
He is legitimately helping the Guardians win games and that’s all that matters.
NEXT: Guardians Insider Announces Rotation Plans For Tuesday's Doubleheader
