The Atlanta Braves are at it again, setting the stage for what’s bound to be another intense offseason by acquiring infielder Nick Allen from the Oakland Athletics. In return, they’ve sent minor-league pitcher Jared Johnson over to Oakland.
On the surface, it may look like a minor trade. But if you dig a little deeper, the move could be part of a bigger puzzle for the Braves as they work to strengthen their roster depth, particularly in the infield.
So, who exactly is Nick Allen? Primarily known as a shortstop, Allen has a strong defensive reputation, which isn’t something to scoff at when building a championship contender. Though Allen hasn’t made the splash in the majors that many expected, he was once one of Oakland’s top prospects, ranking as high as No. 3 in their system back in 2021 and No. 5 in 2022. The potential was there, but the on-field results just haven’t aligned—at least not at the big-league level.
In 2023, Allen’s MLB numbers were less than stellar. He played in 41 games with the Athletics and posted a slash line of just .175/.216/.247, with one home run and four RBIs. For a Braves team looking to possibly shore up the shortstop position, that’s not exactly the kind of offensive production they need.
However, it does bring a layer of flexibility and depth that could prove useful as the season progresses. If there’s one thing the Braves learned last year, it’s the value of having defensive options. Allen’s skills in the field, particularly his range and glove work, have earned him praise as a potential Gold Glove contender, and that’s no small asset.
Interestingly, there’s still some reason for optimism about Allen’s bat. Take a look at his numbers from Triple-A Las Vegas, and you’ll see a very different story. In 81 games, Allen slashed .345/.431/.497, adding seven home runs, 34 extra-base hits, and 51 RBIs.
That kind of performance hints at a player with more offensive potential than he’s shown in the majors so far. He’s been somewhat of a “quad-A” guy—one of those players who excels at Triple-A but struggles to make the leap to MLB. But for the Braves, a team known for finding and unlocking hidden potential, Allen’s Triple-A numbers may offer hope that there’s more to come.
Of course, this acquisition doesn’t mean the Braves are done shopping for a bigger bat at shortstop. They’re likely still searching for an established hitter to round out their lineup. However, if Allen brings some of his Triple-A form to the majors, he could serve as a valuable depth piece. And considering what they gave up to get him—Jared Johnson, a pitcher who was drafted in the 14th round of the 2019 MLB Draft and has only reached High-A Rome so far—the risk is minimal.
Johnson’s numbers in 2024 have been respectable, sporting a 2.60 ERA across 38 appearances. However, he’s still developing and hasn’t cracked the upper levels of the minors. Moving him for a player who could contribute sooner makes a lot of sense for the Braves.
Ultimately, the Nick Allen trade is a low-risk, potentially moderate-reward move that gives the Braves a strong defensive option and some flexibility. The Braves have a track record of finding value in players who haven’t yet hit their stride in the majors, and Allen could be next on that list.
