Greg Allen was a largely forgotten acquisition for the Yankees in the offseason, with New York trading for the former sixth-round pick in a deal with the Padres for minor league James Reeves back in January.
Nearly eight months later, the 28-year-old is providing a much-needed spark for the Yankees, displaying an aspect of the game the Bombers have been starved for all season: speed.
Allen banged a triple off the right field wall in Tuesday night’s win over the Phillies, then scored on an RBI groundout by Estevan Florial to tie the game in the third. In the fifth, with the Yanks again down a run, Allen worked a leadoff walk, stole second, advanced to third on a flyout to center and scored after almost being doubled off at third base on a lineout to shortstop, but a Didi Gregorius throw sailed past the reaching Ronald Torreyes, and Allen scampered home to complete an eventful trip around the bases to tie the game.
For the Yanks, Allen’s quick feet have been a refreshing jolt of energy for a team that has been notoriously slow and absent minded on the basepaths this season.
“He’s been an absolute pro in the room and incredibly productive between the lines,” manager Aaron Boone said. “The element he brings of running the bases, the versatility and the defense he brings in the outfield…and the quality of the at-bats have been really strong. I’ve loved what he’s brought.”
Allen first broke into the majors in 2017, but has never played more than 91 games in a season. But he has stolen 34 bases in 40 attempts, and has already swiped two in his four games with the Yanks since being called up to aid a severely depleted outfield group. But Allen, with a career .654 OPS, has given the Yanks much more than speed so far, logging a hit in all four games, five runs scored and three walks to help the Yanks win three of those four contests.
For Allen, the goal has been to help the Yanks in any way he can, but he’s been helping in seemingly every way possible, not just with his legs.
“I think for me, it’s definitely an important part,” Allen said. “It just comes down to finding ways to impact the game. You may not always get a hit…but you can make a big defensive play, get in scoring position or help the team score a run with your legs. I think all of those things have value. At the end of the day, it’s about finding ways to impact the game.
“Just trying to do what I can to make an impact and help the team win.”
The Yankees find themselves in another “Next Man Up” situation with Clint Frazier, Miguel Andujar, Trey Amburgey, Tim Locastro, Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks all representing outfielders who are currently unavailable. That means more chances for Allen, and more chances to impact the game in ways the Yankees haven’t been used to so far this season. For Boone, it’s been a refreshing change of pace.
“It’s been nice because it’s come into play for us and helped us win ballgames…the speed he brings in the outfield as well,” Boone said. “It’s definitely been a factor in helping us win ballgames.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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