The Cleveland Guardians entered the MLB season with one of the best bullpens in the game.
Unfortunately, they haven’t always lived up to the expectations this season.
However, they’ve seemed to find an unsung hero in Kolby Allard.
That’s why Zack Meisel of The Athletic recently called him ‘a savior for the bullpen,’ headlining how good he’s been in limited action:
“1.06: Kolby Allard’s ERA,” Meisel wrote. “That’s across 17 innings. Allard has been a savior for Cleveland’s pen, just as everyone would have expected. The quartet of Emmanuel Clase, Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis and Tim Herrin remains the team’s core strength. But the other half of the bullpen has been a revolving door. The Guardians need another reliable arm or two, even if Allard’s output proves sustainable.”
It seemed like it was ages ago when Allard was considered to be one of the best prospects in baseball.
He entered the league as a 17-year-old first-round pick, but he failed to establish himself early on in his career.
Now, 10 years later, the Guardians signed him to a minor-league deal, and he’s made a strong impression so far.
Stephen Vogt has asked a little bit of everything of him, from long relief appearances to high-leverage opportunities.
Allard has relied on a combination of control and versatility to get the job done, with his velocity ranging from 71.7 mph all the way to 91.7 mph.
The Guardians placed Ben Lively on the 15-day Injured List (IL) because of a strained right flexor tendon, and he will undergo further testing to determine the extent of the injury.
As of now, Slade Cecconi is the frontrunner to take his spot in the rotation, but Vogt acknowledged that Allard will also be in the mix.
This is his fourth team in as many seasons, and knowing that there won’t be many more opportunities, he’s making the most of every single trip to the mound.
NEXT: Bruce Drennan Shuts Down Concern About Emmanuel Clase
