Improving Allen Makes Akron Future Home

WADSWORTH - John Allen made quite an impression at the Ohio Top Prospect Games in June.

“Johnathon Allen has been on every sleeper list we’ve put out over the past two seasons,” PBR Director of Scouting Jordan Chiero said in an article after the event called ‘Southpaws Show Out’. “Lanky lefty with pitchability through the roof and a ton of projection left on frame. Each time we see him he gets closer to that high ceiling of his. On this day he hit a personal best on the gun at 88 mph with the heater while also showing his typical array of sharp secondary.”

The performance helped solidify an offer from Akron.

“We started talking in the fall over the phone,” the Wadsworth incoming senior reflected about being recruited by the Mid-American Conference program. “I kept them informed over the winter how I was doing and what I was doing. Then I sent them season stats and they were impressed. I went to the Top Prospect Games and they saw it and they liked what they saw. A couple weeks later they offered.”

The 10th-rated uncommitted 2022 left-handed pitcher in the state at the time of his commitment then made it official that Akron would be his future home.

“I went on a visit the beginning of July and loved the indoor facilities,” related Allen, whose other offers came from Walsh and Mount Vernon. “I really liked the field.”

Akron was impressed with how Allen was developing.

“I hit my max fastball of 88,” Allen said about the TPG. “I’ve been working on holding runners on and I tried to show that. I just tried to do my thing. They were very impressed with how I performed. They like my projectability.”

The 18th-ranked senior southpaw in Ohio is thrilled with the notion of playing at the D-I level.

“This really means a lot,” Allen admitted. “I’ve been wanting to play Division I baseball since I was a young kid and I’m excited about the opportunity.”

The idea came into his thoughts about the age of 12.

“I saw a board of college commits at the high school and that’s when I began thinking that I wanted to be on it,” Allen noted. “Then this past year when I started talking to colleges I knew it was a possibility.”

According to the 17-year-old, hard work and dedication are what the program at Akron will discover about Allen, who gave credit to others for advancing his game.

“Ben Simon and my high school (assistant) coach Jeff Shenker have definitely helped in my recruiting process,” Allen said. “Ben has also helped with my velo and throwing hard and coach Shenker has helped me bring my game to the next level with the mental side of baseball.”

Admittedly, recruitment had some difficulty according to Allen, who carries a 3.6 GPA and is looking at a major in education with plans to become a teacher and “eventually” a coach.

“At the beginning it was tough with everything shut down and we couldn’t talk,” Allen reflected. “But toward the end when things were loosened up it was nice to talk to coaches in person and get some face time with them instead of talking to them over the phone.”

The 6-1 175-pounder, who points to gaining more weight, getting stronger and becoming a smarter baseball player as ways of improvement in the future, admits to a great feeling for himself and his family now that a commitment has been made prior to the start of senior year in high school.

“Excitement and joy,” Allen pointed out. “We couldn’t stop smiling. We’re just so very happy to be committed to Akron.”