Jeff Allison, SP Marlins Options

[smk1363]

Jeff Allison is working out at the Marlins' spring training facility in Jupiter, Fla.

''He's done everything that was required and asked of him,'' general manager Larry Beinfest said of Allison, who overcame a heroin addiction and last October was charged with the felony possession of a stolen vehicle while with Single-A Greensboro (N.C.). The Marlins don't have a timetable for Allison's return to the minors.

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This kid is from Peabody, Massachusetts, the town right next to mine. I remember he was considered the best high school pitcher in the country at the time and me and my buddies would go and watch him pitch for Peabody High School. I remember going to the North Division sectional semifinals game, where he pitched against my high school, St. John's Prep. He let up an unearned run in the 8th inning, and moved to right field. He then singled in the bottom of the 8th with a runner on. The runner scored on a throwing error and Allison moved to 3rd. With an 0-2 count on the pinch-hitter, Allison took off for home, jumped over the catcher, came back & touched home. Unreal play. Then in the 9th, he got called back in to pitch the final 2 outs.

He got drafted 16th overall by the Marlins in the 2003 June amateur draft, but destroyed his chances to climb up the system due to some serious of the field problems (drug addiction).

The kid is unbelieveable, and I'm just hoping for some kind of Josh Hamilton-esque recovery.

[Oscar]

As a marlins fan I was thinking the same thing with the Hamilton comparison. I hope he sees Hamilton as an inspiration. I heard he was a power pitcher in the mold of Beckett, I would hate to see him never realize his talent.

[jogabonito34]

If he actually can prove he's recovered, he's going to be next year's Josh Hamilton (in pitcher form). Guaranteed a team will take his talent in the Rule 5 draft. He's one of the best prospects to come from around here, and I'm still rooting for him.

[smk1363]

Well I mean the kid throws gas...upper 90s fastball with movement, and a plus curve at about 85 mph.
plus a few other pitches he's working on.
I can't see him making it to the majors next year though, that might be a little steep.