Dodgers: A Minor League Flamethrower Could Make a Difference in 2018

It is not often that a player changes from a pitcher to a position player or vice versa. In the case of Dodgers prospect, Stetson Allie, he has gone from pitcher to outfielder and back to pitcher again in his seven-year career.

After much time in the minors and a couple position changes, it could be the year for Allie to make his mark in the big leagues. Back in 2010, Allie was drafted in the second round of the first year player draft by the Pirates as a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher out of Saint Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio. He was everything a team could have wanted in a high school arm: elite fastball in the upper 90’s, good secondary pitches, and most importantly youth. Scouts regarded him as a “generational talent” and one of “the most pure arms in the Draft.”

The following year after the draft, 2011, Allie made his minor league debut with the State College Spikes, the Low-A affiliate of the Pirates as a starting pitcher. His tenure as a starter was brief as he struggled right off the bat. He was moved to the bullpen where he continued to pitch poorly and ended the season with just 15 games played. Of the 15, seven were as a starter. He finished that year with an ERA of 6.58 and WHIP of 1.885.

The following year was where things got interesting for the then 21-year-old pitcher. He started the season as a pitcher and appeared in just two games. Between the two he got just two outs and gave up four runs and it was the last time he would pitch for another five years.

With pitching no longer an option, the Pirates chose not to give up on the young prospect. Instead of feeding him to the wolves they chose to move him from pitcher to the outfield where he would enjoy success over the span of a couple year. Between 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, Stetson Allie mashed a combined total of 75 home runs and 269 RBI’s.

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Albeit succeeding as a batter, the Pirates never moved Allie passed Double-A, a decision that would cause Stetson to leave the Pirates and sign with the Dodgers as a minor league free agent after the 2016 season. Allie joined the Dodgers’ farm in the beginning of 2017 as a right fielder and a first baseman with a knack for power and a low average. But, after struggling as a batter, the Dodgers decided to move Allie back to a position he had not played since the beginning of the 2012 season, pitcher.

With the smallest of sample sizes, Allie thrived in his new but familiar role. In his eleven one-inning relief appearances across three levels, Allie did not allow any earned runs while giving up just six base hits. He also struck out 13 batters while walking seven and featured a fastball that touched 100 mph. In 2017 Stetson Allie proved to be wild but effective.

The history of the now 26-year-old pitcher is fascinating, to say the least. If he can maintain his velocity and be successful next season I would go as far as to say he can make a big impact in the major leagues. As one scout said back in 2010, “ this type of arm-strength doesn’t grow on trees.”  And, considering the Dodgers just lost resident flamethrower, Brandon Morrow to the Cubs, it is safe to assume the front office would like to replace the heat. Stetson Allie’s upper 90’s to triple-digit fastball could be the replacement they are looking for.

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While there are certainly other options to join the pen, there is something to be said for the mystery of a player like Allie. The Dodgers love a good project and also have a pretty good track record of converting position players to pitchers (Kenley Jansen). Although he can not be found on a top 30 prospect list, Dodger fans would be foolish not to keep a close eye on Stetson Allie because he might just have what it takes to make a difference in 2018.