Yesterday the Oakland Athletics activated first baseman Daric Barton from their disabled list. In a corresponding move, the A’s designated first baseman Brandon Allen for assignment.
A’s manager Bob Melvin said yesterday that now that Barton is healthy he will be Oakland’s everyday first baseman. The A’s have had a glut of first baseman for much of the offseason, and Oakland was reportedly shopping Allen this winter. Rather than keep Allen on their roster, the A’s have decided to stick with Kila Ka’aihue.
Now that the A’s have designated Allen for assignment, some team in need of help at first base is expected to take a flier on him. Still only 26, Allen has spent parts of four seasons at the major league level.
The promise that Allen has shown in the high-minors has earned him multiple opportunities. During his three seasons and 921 at-bats at the Triple-A level, Allen has maintained an OPS of .956.
Unfortunately for Allen (and the Diamondbacks and A’s) his ability to mash minor league pitching hasn’t translated into success in the bigs. Over his 331 at-bats, Allen has only mustered a major league line of .205/.291/.375.
Barton, also 26, was sidelined for much of the 2011 season due to injury. A former top prospect, Barton has only played in at least 140 games twice over his six year major league career. Barton’s last productive season came in 2010 when he posted an OPS of .798 including a .393 on base percentage over his 556 at-bats for the A’s.
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