Greg Allen brings defensive value and his local ties to the San Diego Padres

Here is a look at the new San Diego Padres’ outfielder Greg Allen. 

Outfielder Greg Allen returns home to San Diego as he was involved in the massive 9-player trade Monday morning on the trade deadline. The San Diego Padres traded for Allen along with starting pitcher Mike Clevinger from the Cleveland Indians.

Allen, by no means, was the face of this trade, but he brings a certain value to the club that only one other player on the team has.

Padres haul for Clevinger, per @JeffPassan

SD gets:
• Mike Clevinger
• Greg Allen
• PTBNL

CLE gets:
• Cal Quantrill
• Austin Hedges
• Josh Naylor
• Gabriel Arias (Padres’ No. 7 prospect)
• Joey Cantillo (Padres’ No. 9 prospect)
• Owen Miller (Padres’ No. 11 prospect) pic.twitter.com/sLqtAcq5a0

— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) August 31, 2020

Along with new teammate Greg Garcia, Allen was born in San Diego and grew up in Chula Vista (Garcia grew up in El Cajon). It’s only fitting they share the name (Greg). Allen attended Hilltop High School and spent his collegiate career at San Diego State University.

Greg Allen’s return to his hometown is a great story. He earned his degree in business management at @SDSU after playing for Tony Gwynn with the @GoAztecs. “I could talk all day about Coach Gwynn, the impact he had on me,” Allen told me once. Now he is a Padre. @MLBNetwork @Cut4

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 31, 2020

The former Aztec had an impressive career playing for Tony Gwynn. He hit a solid .302 average in three seasons with 77 hits, 26 RBIs, and 14 extra-base hits. He walked 30 times and stole 25 bases. He was named a West All-Star, Mountain West Scholar-Athlete, and was on the Mountain West All-Academic Team in 2013.

The local product will bring his native ties to the Padres that are now contending for the 2020 playoffs. Allen has lightning speed and reaction on the defensive side that allows him to cover his entire position in the outfield. He can play all three outfield positions.

Greg Allen ran a LONG way to catch that. pic.twitter.com/OysXM6su8c

— MLB (@MLB) August 22, 2018

Allen was selected in the 6th round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians. He signed his contract and started his career in the minor leagues for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

From 2014-16 in the minors, Allen improved his hitting every season and had an eye-opening statistic. He stole 118 total bases! The speedster snagged 30 bags in only 57 games during the 2014 season. The next season he was promoted to the Lake County Captains, where he stole 43 bases in 123 games while batting .273 with seven home runs.

Allen had a breakout season in 2016, where he played in Single-A and was later promoted to Double-A. The switch-hitter batted .295 with another seven home runs, 44 RBIs, and a .830 OPS (on-base-slugging). For those keeping track, he had 45 stolen bases in 129 total games.

The Indians called up the San Diego native to the major league roster on Sept. 1, 2017. Six days later, he hit his first major league home run.

Even the kids get #HammyCalls tonight!

Tom Hamilton calls the first major league home run for Greg Allen! pic.twitter.com/82EWo6IfAq

— Monte the Color Man (@Monte_Colorman) September 8, 2017

The 27-year-old has not been the most productive hitter since joining the majors. Although, his defensive ability has been among the best in baseball, as he does nothing but take hits and runs away every chance he gets.

Just your average, ordinary, everyday superhero.

Hello, Greg Allen — glad you’re on our team!#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/zYjCEmAyFd

— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) May 19, 2018

Sorry Cleveland, that superhero now plays for his hometown team, the Slam Diego Padres.

Allen’s 2018 prospects report card showed a 60/60 speed, 50/50 fielding, and 55/55 throwing grade. He is projected to be one of the game’s best defenders.

Allen has a service time of just-over one full season. So far, in his short campaign, he has a career .992 defensive rating that dates back to 2017. He has over 350 total putouts, nine assists, and only three errors with the Indians.

Greg Allen with the play near the wall 😱 pic.twitter.com/8L8ykrpE72

— Everything Cleveland (@EverythingCLE_) July 7, 2019

Not many outfielders can track down a ball quite as well as Allen can.

So far, in 2020, offensively, he’s hitting for a .160 average with only one homer, four RBIs, and one stolen base. He has appeared in left field 11 times and center field four times.

It is not yet clear as to what Manager Jayce Tingler has in plan for the speedster. Once he is added to the 28-man active roster, he will look to make an impact with either his speed, defensive capability, or even with his hitting.

AJ Preller was asked about the decision to trade for local product Greg Allen and what his role could be: pic.twitter.com/blQJOkVkG4

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) August 31, 2020

With the addition to Allen (and Jorge Mateo just before the season), the Friars now have much-needed base running and defense coming off the bench.

Allen and Clevinger will most likely be added to the roster on Wednesday, Sept. 2, as they both hope to make their much-anticipated Padres’ debut.

Chris Spiering

Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and now covers San Diego State Men’s Basketball. He also contributes regularly about the Padres. Chris is an athlete and is a huge fan of San Diego sports.