Padres Minors: Q & A with new Padres minor league pitcher Logan Allen

EastVillageTimes was lucky enough to secure an interview with new left-handed pitcher Logan Allen. The 18-year-old southpaw has excellent stuff and an even better attitude. He should go far in the game.

Allen was acquired with Carlos Asuaje, Manuel Margot and Javier Guerra for Craig Kimbrel in a November trade. Allen was drafted in the eighth round of the 2015 MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox. He was drafted out of the prestigious IMG academy in Bradenton Florida. We discuss his time there and how it has helped him.

The young Allen has a very intriguing story in which he has many motivating factors in his life. His handicapped older brother has been an unbelievable inspiration to him. He discusses his time with his brother and how he has helped put his baseball career into perspective.

Allen has been coached by many within the game of baseball and he surely has the correct mindset to go far in this game. I was very impressed by his poise and the fact he is still a teenager. The future for this young man is very high and he could easily be the steal of the whole Kimbrel trade.

The 6 foot 3 inch Allen, recorded a 1.11 ERA last season with an incredible .781 WHIP. He struck out 26 batters last season in his first professional season while walking only one batter in 24.1 innings. Simply incredible for a young pitcher to attack hitters like that. He told me himself he doesn’t walk batters, he goes right after them with no fear.

We are a few seasons away from Logan Allen being major league ready. You should however keep a close eye on his development. He is wise beyond his years and could skyrocket through the Padres farm system. The young pitcher has a great personality and I personally am excited for his future.

Have you ever been out to San Diego?

Yes plenty of times. I was there during my senior year. I was also in the L.A. area my junior year. In November and December I was also at Petco Park for a prospect developmental camp.

Tell me a little bit about the IMG academy and what they have done for your career so far?

The IMG academy has been a very intricate part of who I’ve become. I left my school in North Carolina after my sophomore year and moved to down to the boarding school. The facilities are amazing. The coaching staff has the most experience and resources you can find. The big difference was being able to play year around. It’s a sports academy but school is still a very big deal. It was a college prep program. It was preparing me both physically and academically. I’m currently training there now with pro guys like Dee Gordon. Kevin Quackenbush is my workout buddy everyday. I get to throw with him. I was in school last year with Jacob Nix and he was one of my buddies. We are back in the same program now.

You committed to the University of South Carolina out of high school. Was it a tough decision when you were drafted by the Red Sox?

Absolutely. It was a very tough decision. A had a lot of offers, my dad was a Florida Gator and I could have gone there. My mom wanted me to go look at Stanford and schools out west. I loved the west coast. I saw every school you could imagine from University of San Diego to Clemson to Virginia. South Carolina was one of my first big visits. I saw it and something just felt right. I visited every school I possibly could and at the end of the day South Carolina was where I wanted to go. That decision was difficult in itself, then came the decision to go pro. I felt I had more opportunity to get my foot in the door going pro. I felt I was prepared and one step ahead. Me and my family decided I was going to sign, so I did. I am very happy with my decision and I haven’t looked back since.

What was your reaction to the trade that brought you to San Diego?

It feels great to be wanted. I had a great year. I didn’t even know it was possible. When it hit me I was like shocked. I didn’t know what to expect. You know I was traded for such a high-caliber pitcher like Craig Kimbrel who I grew up watching and was a very big fan of. Getting traded with Javy, Manuel and Carlos who are three prospects who are unbelievable prospects. It made me feel good. Meeting all the guys in San Diego like the staff and the Padres organization. I am very happy with the trade.

In the 2014 Area Code games you were awarded the Army Leadership Excellence Award for being an excellent leader and role model. Talk to me about being recognized as a role model at such a young age.

I basically told them what my home life is like. I have a 28-year-old handicapped brother. He means the world to me. I just kind of talked about what he means to me and what I do for special needs children. I was very thankful for the award they gave to me and it meant a lot considering the back story.

Talk to me about your brother and what he means for your career?

Growing up around Philip he was able to come watch some of my games, he was in a wheelchair. He can’t walk, He can’t talk. But he would go out to some of my games and just listen. He would hear all the sounds and look around and every time I complained about not wanting to go to practice, or I’m too tired to play or I wanted to go hang around with my friends, I would just look at him and realize he would do what I am doing right now if he could. Why am I complaining? He was a motivational factor for me. He can’t come watch my games anymore. He has been a huge motivating factor for me to be the best I can be.

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James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.