8. Logan Allen, LHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/23/1997 (20)
2017 teams/levels played for: low-A Fort Wayne TinCaps, high-A Lake Elsinore Storm
2017 Stats: 24 G, 23 GS, 125 IP, 2.95 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 8.4% BB, 27.1% K
Info: Heavily-scouted at IMG Academy in Florida, many thought Allen would be a difficult sign out of the first round, so when the Red Sox grabbed him in the 8th round of the 2015 draft and were able to sign him, he was immediately one of their more desirable trade targets. The San Diego Padres made sure to include Allen as part of the deal that sent Craig Kimbrel to Boston.
After missing much of 2016 due to elbow issues, Allen was turned loose in 2017, totaling 125 innings and showing well in both A-ball levels at 20 years old.
Allen works with a three pitch mix that he seems to know how to add and subtract to in order to get movement and get deep into games, sitting 92-94 typically with his fastball, topping out at 96-97, but often putting up 88-90 on hitters with added movement to throw off timing. His change utilizes a “Vulcan” grip, and has a wicked dip just ahead of the plate, showing plus and even double-plus at times.
His curve can get too slurvy and it can get loopy, but when he’s more 11-5 with the angle on the pitch with a hard, sharp break, he flashes plus on the pitch, but he’s still developing that feel on the pitch.
Allen has a repeatable, calm delivery that allows him to pound the strike zone, but can leave him hittable. Adding another breaking pitch or a fastball variation (cutter, split-finger) could give him the weapons to be a #2, but he has a fairly safe #4 floor with his stuff. The San Diego Padres will give him his first taste of the upper minors in AA in 2018.
7. Anderson Espinoza, RHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 3/9/1998 (20)
2017 teams/levels played for: none
2017 Stats: none
Info: The Red Sox signed the highly touted Espinoza out of Venezuela in 2014, and by the time he finished the 2015 season, he was widely considered one of the best young arms in all of baseball. The San Diego Padres made him the focus of their deal to send Drew Pomeranz to Boston, but MLB punished the Padres and Preller for not revealing all of Pomeranz’s medical details.
When he’s healthy and on the mound, Espinoza has some of the best stuff in all of minor league baseball
In a bit of irony, Espinoza ended up having Tommy John surgery in August of 2017 after struggling with injury up to that point, meaning he’ll likely miss all of 2018 as well. That certainly sets back the time frame on Espinoza, but he certainly could still be very productive.
When he’s healthy and on the mound, Espinoza has some of the best stuff in all of minor league baseball. Espinoza throws a fastball that runs 95-97 and can touch triple digits with a ton of late movement. He pairs that with a change that he can already manipulate in movement and velocity, showing tremendous feel for the pitch.
Espinoza works with an upper-70s curve as his third pitch that is really a quality pitch when he’s on it right, but he’s still developing the feel on the pitch. He has absolute frontline stuff when healthy, but the San Diego Padres will be cautious with his return and give him the time to return healthy to ensure they get that top end.
Next: #5 and #6