Former FIU Panther Logan Allen returned to the 305

Miami, Florida – Logan Allen made a triumphant return to Miami Friday night tossing a quality start against the Marlins in what was ultimately a no-decision. A rainout two days prior set the stage for his first appearance at loanDepot Park creating the special occasion. Given how very few high school and collegiate players make it to the pros, it’s quite the feat when a youngster gets the call-up. It makes one even prouder when the league’s newest rookie was a kid you previously covered. Allen finished the night holding the Fish to a pair of runs in six innings of work. Josh Bell and Bryan De La Cruz lifted back-to-back homers in the lone blemish.

A #ProPanther is back in Miami 🌴

Guardians P Logan Allen returned to Miami, taking on the Marlins and threw six innings of work in a quality start tonight!👏 pic.twitter.com/5Sg74rQliW

— FIU Baseball (@FIUBaseball) June 8, 2024

Drafted back in 2020 during the second round as the 56th overall pick by the Cleveland Indians, the former Florida International alumnus made his MLB debut on April 23rd, 2023, versus the Marlins no less. In this matchup, he got the win similarly pitching six frames of one-run ball and struck out eight. Only Jon Berti managed to break through with a solo shot. Curiously enough, all three aforementioned dingers were in the third inning.

A slow start

The road to the big leagues can be a harsh one. One of my first-ever articles for both Lemon City Live and the FIU baseball team was the Southpaw getting rocked in his collegiate debut. The Missouri Tigers chased him off the mound scoring seven runs on 9 hits through two innings. In high school he only gave up four runs his senior year (81 IP). After going through about six Dr. Pepper cans induced by the Panthers losing 22-1 I ventured to the restroom coming across what I believed to be Mizzou’s SSID. We had a little chit-chat and upon knowing which team I was writing about said that Allen would be fine.

⏰⏳ pic.twitter.com/fEwKjGwe3T

— Logan Allen (@_Logan2Allen) February 18, 2024

True to the words, Logan Taylor Allen pitched on opening day in the 2020 COVID-shortened season. The ace attracted the attention of 100 scouts. Allen contributed greatly to the 20-7 win over the Fordham Rams recording 11 strikeouts in five innings pitched. He spent three years at FIU finishing 11-12 with a 3.33 ERA in 30 starts (31 appearances). The left-handed hurler punched out 246, walked 47, and held opposing hitters to a .237 batting average.  He was something of a two-way player making appearances at first base hitting a career .292 at the plate.

Rising up

Finding his way into the now Guardians organization, the Altamonte Springs native began in High-A Lake County eventually working up through Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus. Although he stumbled in 2022 in his stint with the Clippers finishing with a 6.49 ERA, a strong bounce back the following season paved the way for the big show. When I was watching the 2020 MLB Draft I had a vague hope the Fish could select Allen. It would’ve made quite the story especially when his teammate Lorenzo Hampton was drafted by Miami the year before. Allen could’ve been the third FIU player drafted by the Marlins. The team went with Dax Fulton instead.

Little high, little Lo.

Logan Allen struck out 8 in his Major League debut.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/PrtTm0dczF

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) April 23, 2023

The now 25-year-old finished 2023 with a 7-8 record complemented by a 3.81 ERA bringing hope of a brighter career. Despite a good performance in his second meeting against Miami, Allen currently sits 6-3 with a 5.57 ERA. Regardless of what trajectory his career takes, I am happy for the culmination of a very long journey resulting in living the dream I and many others had. May this be only the start of a lengthy and memorable stint in the Majors.