The Winnipeg Goldeyes re-signed right-handed pitcher Chris Allen for the upcoming season on Tuesday.
Allen was acquired from the Gary SouthShore RailCats along with outfielder Mike Coles late last season in exchange for pitcher Dexter Carter and a player to be named later, which turned out to be outfielder/catcher Kyle Day. In 12 appearances out of the bullpen for Winnipeg, the 28-year-old went 1-0 with a 5.79 ERA and posted nine strikeouts in nine-and-a-third innings of work. Combined with his 31 games with Gary a summer ago, Allen went 5-5 with a 3.76 ERA and six saves.
The product of Williamsport, Pa. also pitched in five of Winnipeg's six playoff games during the team's championship run. He didn't allow a run and had four strikeouts in three-and-a-third innings of work.
"While he was with us, he was the type of guy that was pitching some reliable innings and appearing in games that were very meaningful," said Goldeyes manager Rick Forney. "He was asked to get some very important outs and he responded. He was a huge addition to our bullpen last year."
After being selected as a catcher by the Florida Marlins in the 45th round (1,336th overall) of the 2003 MLB Draft out of Williamsport Area High School, Allen instead elected to go to college and his collegiate career took him to Lake Sumter Community College, Clemson University and Florida International University. While at Lake Sumter Community College, he stopped catching and solely took to the mound.
Allen has played all five of his professional seasons at the independent level in Frontier League, Can-Am League and American Association. He won a Can-Am League championship with Quebec Les Capitales in 2009.
The Goldeyes now have three players signed to contracts for the 2013 season, including one pitcher and two position players.
In another move, the Goldeyes have acquired the rights to right-handed pitcher Justin Garcia from the Amarillo Sox in exchange for a player to be named later and cash considerations. Garcia still has to be signed to a contract for the 2013 season.
