Now in spotlight, Allen's 'phenomenal' defense shining

OAKLAND -- For years, Nick Allen's slick fielding skills earned him a reputation as the best defensive shortstop throughout the Minor Leagues. Now at the Major League level, he’s starting to show why the A’s envision multiple Gold Gloves in his future.

Allen was all over the place for the A’s in Monday night’s 3-0 loss to the Marlins at the Coliseum. Whether ranging to his left or his right, the rookie shortstop made a handful of what appeared to be tough plays look fairly routine.

Of the several gems Allen turned in, the one worthy of topping his highlight reel came in the fourth. Lewin Díaz led off the inning by bouncing a high chopper over the mound. Given the placement of the defense, Díaz looked to have an infield single. But Allen, who was positioned near the outfield grass, charged in on the ball, made a smooth barehanded grab in front of second base and fired a perfect throw to Seth Brown at first base for the out.

“It was a situation for it,” Allen said of his barehanded play. “You practice it here and there, but it’s rarely often used in a game. It just seemed like the right play there. Either barehand it, or maybe we don’t have him. Fortunately, it went right into my palm and we got the out.”

Former A’s pitcher and current A’s TV color commentator Dallas Braden might have a different favorite play of the night by Allen -- whom Braden has already nicknamed “Nicky Pick-It" -- based on his reaction on the broadcast to Allen’s jump throw in the third to nab speedy infielder Joey Wendle.

“Nick Allen playing shortstop is like Maya Angelou riding BART,” Braden said on the NBC Sports California broadcast. “That’s poetry in motion.”

Though Allen may not be a poet, he does have a rhythm and flow while gliding around the field that is entertaining to watch. A’s starter Adam Oller was certainly appreciative of Allen’s defensive prowess, as it helped the right-hander escape a few jams throughout his outing, limiting the damage to three runs allowed on five hits with five walks over six innings.

“Thank God he was playing shortstop for me today,” Oller said of Allen. “There were quite a few balls hit today where I was sitting there and I was like, ‘Ahh, that’s gonna get through.’ Then I turn around and I was like, ‘All right, maybe not.’

“He’s been playing unbelievably over there," added Oller. "I have a lot of trust in him. I just let them put the ball on the ground and let him work. He’s quick over there and he’s got a good arm. He’s done a phenomenal job.”

Allen dazzling at shortstop should not come as a surprise. His glove was considered ready for the Majors since the day the A’s selected him in the third round of the 2017 MLB Draft. Once he joined the organization, Allen’s penchant for making spectacular plays earned him a spot on MLB Pipeline’s All-Defense first team for three straight seasons from 2020-22.

Despite the Minor League accolades, Allen’s chances to show off his defensive qualities at short were limited upon his arrival to the big leagues due to the A’s already having an everyday shortstop in Elvis Andrus, leading to most of his playing time early on coming at second base. With Andrus’ recent release from the club giving way to Allen now solely playing his natural position, that comfort level is allowing him to produce defensive displays like Monday's on a more regular basis.

"I definitely feel like the more reps and playing time [I get], I get more comfortable over there,” Allen said. “I think I notice it this year, too. When I was in [Triple-A Las] Vegas and had a long stretch of just playing short, I realized why I’ve always kind of grown up as a shortstop. In that perspective, I just felt comfortable.”

There is still work to do on the offensive side for Allen, who is hitting .204 and went hitless on a night that saw Marlins starter Edward Cabrera dominate the entire A’s lineup through eight shutout innings. But with the defensive excellence starting to show through, Allen is looking more and more like what the rebuilding A’s hope can be their shortstop of the future for years to come.