When the Atlanta Braves acquired shortstop Nick Allen from the Oakland Athletics in a trade for minor league reliever Jared Johnson, whether he would make the roster was uncertain. Allen had exhausted his minor-league options and hadn't produced much in his MLB appearances, at least offensively.
Allen has a .209 average and a .537 OPS in 760 plate appearances in the majors since making his debut in the 2022 season. Yet, his defense has been praised throughout his career, both as a prospect and in the MLB.
While Allen's glovework has been his calling card, he has been making some noise in the Braves spring training this week. Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano has been noting the work Allen has been putting at the plate to kickstart the camp.
Chris Sale is just trying to get to a pitch count, but a nice moment for Nick Allen as he tries to make the club
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) February 17, 2025
Braves Spring Training: Nick Allen is Off to a Hot Start
Toscano reported that Allen hit a home run off Chris Sale during batting practice on Monday. While he added that Sale was just getting loose in his first practice with the hitters, it is still a nice moment for a player trying to get his confidence before the season.
Despite his struggles in the majors, Allen has demonstrated more potential in the minors. He has a .307 average and a .829 OPS in 199 games with Las Vegas in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. If he can get closer to those numbers while also being one of the better defenders in his position, Allen could make this final roster.
Allen can also reportedly play second and third base. His versatility could be valuable in a bench role. Yet, Orlando Arcia, as the starting shortstop, hasn't exactly cemented his role there. So, if Allen continues to build upon his early spring training success, he could perhaps compete for Arcia's spot. This will be a fascinating storyline to follow during the Braves offseason.