Guardians notes: Logan Allen took fast track to the majors

CLEVELAND — Logan Allen's rise to the majors has come quickly. The 24-year-old left-hander began last year at Double-A Akron, but Sunday he will make his big league debut, starting for the Guardians in the series finale against Miami. Allen, three years after being drafted by Cleveland in the second round, is trying to stay grounded in the whirlwind. "It's definitely natural to think about it, I'm sure, but it's definitely important to be where your feet are," Allen said Saturday. "Just being in (Triple-A) Columbus when I was there and then obviously being here now and just worrying about making this next start, try not to think too far ahead and just do everything I can to prepare myself for my outing." Allen said the first person he called when he learned of his impending big league promotion was his mother. "She started crying immediately, so it was awesome," said Allen. "I called my mom, my dad, and then my brother, and so it was awesome. I actually didn't cry until I called my brother, but it was good to have that moment." Allen has a close bond with older brother Hunter, who played college baseball as a catcher. "He's always been the one in every offseason training together, working out, catching my bullpens, pushing me, everything," Allen said. "Just kind of always been that person that's pushed me to be my best person myself, so definitely special to have that moment." Allen's promotion is a continuation of a youth movement for Cleveland, which employed 17 players who made their MLB debuts last year. "I think it just makes this transition a little bit easier, knowing so many guys coming in and feeling comfortable with so many guys in the locker room," Allen said. "So I think that that has definitely helped the transition. But yeah, definitely excited to be on a team where so many young guys are getting opportunities to win games and to see the success that we're having and just doing our best to contribute to that." More specifically, Allen is the latest of a number of talented, young pitchers in the organization. Manager Terry Francona referenced Friday that Allen is the first of the next wave of arms from the minors. "Hopefully it makes that transition even easier for the guys that come behind me, just the same way that the guys that have been here before have kind of made this transition a little bit easier," Allen said. "A lot of good young guys in the system, Double-A, Triple-A, even as down as high, low (A). "We got guys that compete at every single level. We got great coaches that are helping everybody develop. So I think the organization's in a really good spot." Allen struggled upon his promotion to Columbus last year — 6.49 ERA over 14 starts — but not this season, allowing only two earned runs over three starts while striking out 20 over 14 1/3 innings. "I think it was just adjusting to what I struggled (with) a little bit in Columbus, with just not having the success that I wanted," he said. "So just cleaning everything up, getting the velocity a little bit higher and giving myself more opportunities to get guys out, more chances in the zone and compete a little bit better. "I think that just being able to have that step in Columbus where I was able to get over that I think was good for me coming in the off season, going into this season to prepare me for this opportunity." Allen, who was added to the taxi squad Saturday, will officially be activated prior to Sunday's game. The Guardians will need to make a corresponding move to clear room on the roster. Third catcher Meibrys Viloria will likely be sent to the minors. He's back Reliever Enyel De Los Santos returned to the team Friday after a brief stint on the paternity list. His wife had a baby girl. "He's back. He's all smiles, so that's good," Francona said. Infielder Bryan Rocchio was optioned back to Columbus to clear room for the right-hander. Rocchio did not make an appearance. ** Fellow reliever, LHP Sam Hentges (shoulder inflammation), was scheduled to make his second rehab appearance Saturday at Double-A Akron after pitching Thursday for the RubberDucks. Francona said Hentges' next outing would come for the Clippers, with activation expected shortly after to make his season debut. Soft as Nails Francona dropped a struggling Josh Naylor to eighth in the order for the first game of the doubleheader Saturday. Naylor entered the day batting only .153 with two home runs and an on-base percentage of .235 over his first 17 games. "I told him, 'I think it's mental. I think you sometimes get yourself out,'" Francona said. "He just either tries to do too much or sometimes he gets a little long and he wants to hit it far. "There is a balance because you're trying to win every game you can, but you don't want to quit on a kid you think is an everyday player because that doesn't really help." On board For the most part, Francona is in favor of MLB's new balanced schedule that sees teams play fewer games against division opponents and more against NL teams. "I think it's good you don't play teams within your division 19 times. I always felt that was too much," he said. And I think it's probably good for baseball and fans because you're seeing all the players in the game." Roundin' third The Guardians entered Saturday having played the most one-run games (12) in the majors. The second-most was seven. Since Francona's first year in 2013, Cleveland owned the fifth-highest win percentage in the majors — second-highest in the AL — in one-run games (.539, 214-183). ** The Guardians' seven through nine hitters entered Saturday leading the majors in on-base percentage (.382) and doubles (17) while ranking second in batting average (.275). ** Sunday, 1:40, BSGL; WMMS 100.7-FM. Allen (MLB debut) vs. Luzardo (2-0, 2.74). Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @CAwesomeheimer.