Outfielder Greg Allen making good impression on Pirates with strong start to spring training

BRADENTON, Fla. — Greg Allen never had worn a live microphone before, so the Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder wanted to make the most of his “Mic’d Up” segment Thursday afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Allen provided live commentary as he chased down a Mickey Moniak pop fly in shallow left field and talked about getting the timing of Phillies starter Aaron Nola down while waiting in the on-deck circle.

“I wasn’t really sure what to expect,” Allen said. “I’ve seen it as a viewer when you’re watching TV, watching guys mic’d up, so it looked pretty cool. I had the opportunity, and I just wanted to have some fun with it.”

Allen had even more fun when he took the microphone off. He led off the third inning with a 411-foot home run to right-center, then added an RBI single in the fourth of the Grapefruit League game that was called in the fifth inning because of a rainstorm and ended in a 3-3 tie.

Pirates outfielder Greg Allen talks about being Mic’d Up during Phillies game and making most of his opportunity to make the lineup. pic.twitter.com/yciLIAL88C

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) March 25, 2022

Allen could only imagine what he would have said if he’d been wearing a live mic when he homered. Instead, Cole Tucker struck out to end the second inning, and there was no running commentary for Allen’s at-bat.

“Hindsight is 20/20,” Allen said, with a laugh. “Who knows how that at-bat would’ve gone if I was still mic’d up. At that point in time, I had it off and happened to put a good swing on the ball. Even while I was mic’d up, the wind was an animal. Whether it was blowing in or blowing out, as long as you can find some green grass or find a base knock, you’re happy with it.”

The Pirates are happy with the way Allen is making the most of his opportunity to win a starting job in their outfield. The 29-year-old switch hitter is batting .429 (3 for 7) with two homers and four RBIs in four games this spring.

“He continues to make a good impression,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “He’s played all through the outfield. He’s had good at-bats. He’s done a nice job on the bases. Came into camp in really good shape. Overall, really good impressions.”

After three-plus seasons with Cleveland, where he batted .239/.295/.344, Allen was traded to San Diego in August 2020 along with pitchers Mike Cleavinger and Matt Waldron. He lasted only one game with the Padres before being designated for assignment and dealt to the Yankees for lefty James Reeves in January 2021.

In 15 games with the Yankees last year, Allen slashed .270/.417/.432, with five of his 10 hits going for extra bases. Allen spent most of the season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he slashed .326/.442/.465 with 19 extra-base hits.

Pirates infielder/outfielder Hoy Park became close with Allen during their time together in Triple-A, and Park raved about Allen as a person as much as he did the player.

“We talk about baseball, how we can get better every day,” Park said. “He can really help the team win overall: offensively, defensively, base running.”

Allen was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster and claimed off waivers by the Pirates, who welcomed him with open arms. Allen quickly transitioned from fighting for playing time in a Yankees outfield that features All-Stars Joey Gallo, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton to competing for a starting job with the Pirates.

“It was a tricky situation, to be honest, because of the movement and the way things can happen in the offseason,” Allen said.

“It’s a whirlwind of emotions that you have but after being around for a number of years … but you get a feel of what the industry is like.”

That’s why Allen is taking a one-day-at-a-time approach. The Pirates have Bryan Reynolds locked in as the starting center fielder, and Allen is competing with Anthony Alford and Ben Gamel for the corner spots.

Against the Yankees on Opening Day of spring training, Allen stole a base after being hit by a pitch and then hit a two-run homer.

The 6-foot, 185-pound Allen can play all three outfield positions and loves ballparks with room to roam that allows him to showcase his speed. Allen is looking forward to playing at PNC Park, where he played center field in an exhibition game with Cleveland in July 2020 and finds left even more inviting.

“It was my first time playing in that stadium, but, obviously, it’s a beautiful park,” Allen said. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about it and am really, really looking forward to it and having a chance to play there. The outfield, especially the left side, profiles pretty big. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to play out there and run some balls down.”

Allen chooses his words carefully when he’s not wearing a live microphone, knowing nothing is guaranteed and he still has a long way to go to win a spot on the Opening Day roster, let alone the starting lineup. He has dealt with enough disappointment with the previous three teams in a five-year major-league career to not get ahead of himself.

“Without a doubt. This game is tough. It takes a mental toll just as much as it does a physical one. It tests your mental tenacity, your confidence about where this game is going to take you,” Allen said. “That’s the beauty of this game. You can find some of your strongest moments just in your experiences here. In terms of myself, I definitely feel there’s more to tap into. That’s something that definitely gets me excited.”