The Cody Allen era is about to begin

[Adverb Harry]

Via Bastian on Twitter, he's being promoted from AAA.

Rejoice.

[Adverb Harry]

In all seriousness, interesting timing on the move if it is official. Showcasing for the upcoming trade deadline?

[gotribe31]

53 K in 43 1/3 IP between Carolina, Akron and Columbus. 128 K and a 1.74 ERA in 98 career MiLB innings. And I actually had it on twitter before Bastian, for what that's worth.

[Adverb Harry]

The kid really does have impressive numbers. I've actually followed his progress a bit all season long. Definitely could be a difference maker if he can transition quickly enough. I was just being sarcastic when I started the thread because it's been a long day and I'm in a crappy mood.

Columbus seems to be a hitters' haven, which is why we've dismissed (rightly so) the performances of guys like LaPorta. To see those kind of numbers in a supposed hitter-friendly environment makes them even more impressive. Still only 24. Can you give us an idea of his home/away splits? I'd love to hear that he pitched well at home.

And what is your Twitter handle again? Seen it, but too lazy to look it up. That way, in the future, credit will rightly go where credit is due.

[Prosecutor]

I assume he'll replace Barnes. Throwing a pitch behind a batter, along with getting the crap beat out of you almost every time out, will get you a ticket back to AAA. He did not look at all like a major league pitcher today, or in his most recent appearances.

Raffie Perez is making rehab starts and should be ready to join the Tribe after another 2-3 outings. I wonder if Allen goes back down when Raffie is ready.

[dazindiansfanuk]

Raffie Perez is making rehab starts and should be ready to join the Tribe after another 2-3 outings. I wonder if Allen goes back down when Raffie is ready.

I find it hard to believe they'd start Allen's service time clock and add him to the 40-man for the sake of being around for just a few days.

If he's coming up, he's here to stay I reckon.

[Prosecutor]

Good point, Daz. So who goes when Raffie is ready? Sipp is slowly turning his season around, and I think they like having two lefties in the pen. Accardo has been OK, although he only pitches in garbage time. I'm guessing Accardo since Allen can slip right into his role while he transitions to the bigs. And Accardo is just filler until the next prospect is ready.

[peeker643]

Good point, Daz. So who goes when Raffie is ready? Sipp is slowly turning his season around, and I think they like having two lefties in the pen. Accardo has been OK, although he only pitches in garbage time. I'm guessing Accardo since Allen can slip right into his role while he transitions to the bigs. And Accardo is just filler until the next prospect is ready.

You don't bring a 23 yr old up to get irregular mop-up innings.

Ever.

Just tell me how old the last three mop up guys have been and when the last time the Indians brought up a kid to pitch once a week or every ten days.

[gotribe31]

The kid really does have impressive numbers. I've actually followed his progress a bit all season long. Definitely could be a difference maker if he can transition quickly enough. I was just being sarcastic when I started the thread because it's been a long day and I'm in a crappy mood.

Columbus seems to be a hitters' haven, which is why we've dismissed (rightly so) the performances of guys like LaPorta. To see those kind of numbers in a supposed hitter-friendly environment makes them even more impressive. Still only 24. Can you give us an idea of his home/away splits? I'd love to hear that he pitched well at home.

And what is your Twitter handle again? Seen it, but too lazy to look it up. That way, in the future, credit will rightly go where credit is due.

Yeah, he's a power arm who misses bats. Similar to Stowell a couple of years ago, in that he flew through the system compiling a ton of K's, but unlike with Stowell the Indians decided to see what they have here rather than "not rushing him" and keeping him at AAA. I'm intrigued and excited to see what he can do against major league hitters.

No worries, I was kidding. But it's @Gotribe31

[peeker643]

Official word from the Tribe. On the heels of the unoffical word from @GoTribe31

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2012

INDIANS PROMOTE RHP CODY ALLEN
FROM AAA COLUMBUS

Selected by Cleveland in the 23rd Round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft

CLEVELAND, OH-The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has selected the contract of RHP CODY ALLEN from the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. To allow room on the Major League roster, the Indians optioned LHP SCOTT BARNES to AAA Columbus.

Allen, 23, has enjoyed a quick ascent through the Indians Minor League system after being selected in the 23rd round (698th overall) of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of High Point University (NC). He has split the 2012 season between Class-A Carolina, AA Akron and, most recently, AAA Columbus, going a combined 3-2 with 3 saves and a 1.87 ERA in 31 relief appearances (43.1IP, 25H, 9R/ER, 9BB, 53K). He is averaging 11 strikeouts per 9.0IP with a walk/9.0IP ratio of 1.9 while limiting Minor League hitters to a .166 (25-151) average against for the season.

Allen began the campaign with the Carolina Mudcats where he made 2 scoreless appearances before being promoted to AA Akron on April 10. He was later elevated to Columbus on April 26 and has since posted a mark of 3-2 with 2 saves and a 2.27 ERA in 24 outings with the Clippers (31.2IP, 22H, 8R/ER, 9BB, 35K, .195AVG). Since June 7th he owns an ERA of 0.56 (16.0IP, 5H, 1R/ER, 17K, .098AVG) in 13 appearances and has not allowed a run over his last 5 outings (6.0IP, 3H, 6K). His two-year professional ERA is 1.74 (98.0IP, 60H, 19ER, 23BB, 128K) with a .175 (60-343) average against. He is making his debut at the Major League level wearing #37.

Barnes has posted an ERA of 8.10 (10.0IP, 12H, 9R/ER, 7BB, 10K) over 7 relief outings for the Indians this season.

[Prosecutor]

Good point, Daz. So who goes when Raffie is ready? Sipp is slowly turning his season around, and I think they like having two lefties in the pen. Accardo has been OK, although he only pitches in garbage time. I'm guessing Accardo since Allen can slip right into his role while he transitions to the bigs. And Accardo is just filler until the next prospect is ready.

You don't bring a 23 yr old up to get irregular mop-up innings.

Ever.

Just tell me how old the last three mop up guys have been and when the last time the Indians brought up a kid to pitch once a week or every ten days.

Yeah, I guess you're right. So whose role does he take? Closer? No, I think they still like Chris Perez. Vinnie? Smith? How about Rogers? Which guy do you think gets pushed down so our 23-year-old rookie who started the season in AA doesn't get stuck with mop-up duty? Like Barnes did. Hey, how old is Barnes, anyway?

I just have this nutty idea that when you bring up a kid like this you break him in gently by pitching him in non-pressure situations until the jitters are gone and he proves he can get big league hitters out, then gradually ease him into "higher leverage" situations and see how he responds. Especially when the team is in contention and 1/2 game out of the wild card race.

But that's just Pros being Pros. I'm sure you're right and the Indians will throw him right into the deep end to sink or swim.

[peeker643]

Good point, Daz. So who goes when Raffie is ready? Sipp is slowly turning his season around, and I think they like having two lefties in the pen. Accardo has been OK, although he only pitches in garbage time. I'm guessing Accardo since Allen can slip right into his role while he transitions to the bigs. And Accardo is just filler until the next prospect is ready.

You don't bring a 23 yr old up to get irregular mop-up innings.

Ever.

Just tell me how old the last three mop up guys have been and when the last time the Indians brought up a kid to pitch once a week or every ten days.

Yeah, I guess you're right. So whose role does he take? Closer? No, I think they still like Chris Perez. Vinnie? Smith? How about Rogers? Which guy do you think gets pushed down so our 23-year-old rookie who started the season in AA doesn't get stuck with mop-up duty? Like Barnes did. Hey, how old is Barnes, anyway?

I just have this nutty idea that when you bring up a kid like this you break him in gently by pitching him in non-pressure situations until the jitters are gone and he proves he can get big league hitters out, then gradually ease him into "higher leverage" situations and see how he responds. Especially when the team is in contention and 1/2 game out of the wild card race.

But that's just Pros being Pros. I'm sure you're right and the Indians will throw him right into the deep end to sink or swim.

There's plenty of water between the kiddie pool and the deep end. I know he won't be needed on days Ublado pitches. Not with that guy having turned it around and all. Barnes pitched his way to mop up for a week or two. Then what did they do with him? Why?

So he can pitch regularly and get right. If And Vinnie, Smith, etc didn't pitch in a mop up role either. That role is reserved for the 30+ crowd that I mentioned earlier and can go back 5 years and name if you can't figure it out.

Young guys need to pitch regularly. Mop up role ain't regular. Allen is a young guy. Do the math.

Low leverage situations to get his feet wet. If he succeeds he advances in the pecking order. If he doesn't he goes back. He doesn't take Accardo's job himself.

Very, very simple.

[Prosecutor]

Low leverage situations to get his feet wet. If he succeeds he advances in the pecking order. If he doesn't he goes back. He doesn't take Accardo's job himself.

- Peeks

I just have this nutty idea that when you bring up a kid like this you break him in gently by pitching him in non-pressure situations until the jitters are gone and he proves he can get big league hitters out, then gradually ease him into "higher leverage" situations and see how he responds.

- Prosecutor

Sounds like we're on the same page here. Except that you draw a distinction between "mop-up" (my term) and "low leverage situations" (yours). Like tonight's game where he came in with the Tribe down 8-1. Mop-up or low leverage? Not worth quibbling about semantics.

The kid throws hard, I'll say that much. Pretty cool that he was a 23rd round pick last year and is only the second player from his draft to make it to the bigs. I'll bet that doesn't happen often, maybe never before. Hope he sticks around a while. Barnes pitched four straight 1-2-3 innings before he imploded so it will take some time to get a read on Allen.

By the way, between Lowe and Tomlin those "low leverage situations" might be more frequent than you expect.

[peeker643]

Low leverage situations to get his feet wet. If he succeeds he advances in the pecking order. If he doesn't he goes back. He doesn't take Accardo's job himself.

- Peeks

I just have this nutty idea that when you bring up a kid like this you break him in gently by pitching him in non-pressure situations until the jitters are gone and he proves he can get big league hitters out, then gradually ease him into "higher leverage" situations and see how he responds.

- Prosecutor

Sounds like we're on the same page here. Except that you draw a distinction between "mop-up" (my term) and "low leverage situations" (yours). Like tonight's game where he came in with the Tribe down 8-1. Mop-up or low leverage? Not worth quibbling about semantics.

The kid throws hard, I'll say that much. Pretty cool that he was a 23rd round pick last year and is only the second player from his draft to make it to the bigs. I'll bet that doesn't happen often, maybe never before. Hope he sticks around a while. Barnes pitched four straight 1-2-3 innings before he imploded so it will take some time to get a read on Allen.

By the way, between Lowe and Tomlin those "low leverage situations" might be more frequent than you expect.

Mop-up is an actual role. Low leverage is not. Perez pitches in low leverage situations occasionally when he comes in with a four run lead or just to get wrk in.

Perez does not pitch the mop-up role.

But yes, with Ubaldo, Tomlin and Lowe as well as Masterson's one abortion in four starts and McAlister being really raw, could be plenty of mop up and low leverage situations brewing.

[swerb]

Love seeing kids that can throw this hard and miss bats. Hope he can make it and stick.

Mesa, Tavarez, Shuey, Plunk, Grimsley. That crew could bring it.

[Erie Warrior]

Love seeing kids that can throw this hard and miss bats. Hope he can make it and stick.

Mesa, Tavarez, Shuey, Plunk, Grimsley. That crew could bring it.

Keeerrrrr- Plunk!

[Adverb Harry]

Love seeing kids that can throw this hard and miss bats. Hope he can make it and stick.

Mesa, Tavarez, Shuey, Plunk, Grimsley. That crew could bring it.

Keeerrrrr- Plunk!

For some totally irrational reason, I couldn't stand Plunk back then. Don't ask me why. Maybe it was the hair and glasses and the kind of nerdy look he projected. Gave him no credit when he pitched the team out of jam after jam, and gave him all kinds of shit if he so much as put a runner on. Looking back, he was one helluva reliever the whole time he was with us...numbers were down a bit his last couple years in 97 and 98, but I'd take even that kind of consistency anytime now.

If I ever see him in public, I owe him an apology for the terrible things I said about him (and probably his mother, too) back then. I was young and dumb. (Which probably explains how I thought calling Paul Assenmacher "Ass-Maker" was the pinnacle of wit and humor.)

[leadpipe]

Love seeing kids that can throw this hard and miss bats. Hope he can make it and stick.

Mesa, Tavarez, Shuey, Plunk, Grimsley. That crew could bring it.

Keeerrrrr- Plunk!

For some totally irrational reason, I couldn't stand Plunk back then. Don't ask me why. Maybe it was the hair and glasses and the kind of nerdy look he projected. Gave him no credit when he pitched the team out of jam after jam, and gave him all kinds of shit if he so much as put a runner on. Looking back, he was one helluva reliever the whole time he was with us...numbers were down a bit his last couple years in 97 and 98, but I'd take even that kind of consistency anytime now.

If I ever see him in public, I owe him an apology for the terrible things I said about him (and probably his mother, too) back then. I was young and dumb. (Which probably explains how I thought calling Paul Assenmacher "Ass-Maker" was the pinnacle of wit and humor.)

Plunk was the most underappreciated guy on those teams. Fact of the matter was he was GOOD for four straight years. And, unlike other guys that put together a couple a years out of the pen, he never whined about his role, or seeked a closer role somewhere else. Many of those games in "Wahoo, what a Finish" were a result of Plunky knockin' down innings.

Remember that great year Tavarez had, well, Plunk's that year was better.

He was how you could identify all the douche yuppies checking out a new stadium though. He'd come in from the pen and some guy was bitching so all others could hear, to try to show people he knew what was going on. He did this with a cell phone in his ear, and then got in his bright yellow car and went home.

[pod2dawg]

He was how you could identify all the douche yuppies checking out a new stadium though. He'd come in from the pen and some guy was bitching so all others could hear, to try to show people he knew what was going on. He did this with a cell phone in his ear, and then got in his bright yellow car and went home.

.... no, first he would then either drop on over to the Greenhouse for some overpriced beers or slide on out to the Marriot ( East) for the free nachos & con queso.