Diamondbacks Sign Freedom Righty Allen
December 12, 2012 - Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
FLORENCE, KY - This week, Florence Freedom right-hander Brad Allen become the third Freedom player in 2012 to be signed by a Major League organization.
Allen, a 23 year-old right hander from Geneva, Illinois, had his contract purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks and will report this spring to Diamondback spring training.
Chris Curley (Chicago White Sox) and Stephen Shackleford (Seattle Mariners) were the other to Freedom players from the historic 2012 season to be picked up.
Allen however, boasts something neither Curley or Shackleford can, and that's being an integral part of the Freedom's playoff run.
In three post-season starts, Allen went 3-0 with a miniscule 1.22 ERA.
The Freedom fell to the Southern Illinois Miners in four games of a best of five Frontier League Championship series, losing 4-3 in 12 innings to the Miners in their series-clinching win. If the Freedom had pulled out the extra inning game 4, Allen would have taken to the hill back in Florence for game 5.
This new journey for Allen inside the Diamondbacks system comes after a 2012 summer that included some initial disappointment. The Rockford Riverhawks, another member of the Frontier League, cut Allen during spring training.
"2012 was such a wild ride," Allen said. "There was a time I didn't know if I was ever going to pitch again."
Then the Freedom and the all-time winningest Frontier League manager Fran Riordan gave Allen a call.
"Finally I landed back in baseball with the Freedom in early August and I can honestly say playing in Florence last season was the most fun I've had playing baseball."
Riordan and the Freedom went on a 13-1 run down the stretch in 2012 to secure the franchise's first playoff appearance, Allen gives a lot of credit to his manager.
"If you ask me, moving to the four man rotation was a big reason we went on that run," Allen continued. "Fran and Chris (Homer, the Freedom's pitching coach) made a great move and the team bought in."
Allen will report to Diamondbacks' spring training in February and has been told a spot is out there for him to earn at either low or high "A". From there, anything is possible.
"That's the goal of the Frontier League," Freedom General Manager Josh Anderson said. "On the field, its our business to get these guys signed and noticed. Last season shows you're just one phone call, one performance away from being on somebody's radar."
The Freedom meanwhile continue to gear up for 2013, with opening day falling on a Thirsty Thursday, May 16, against the River City Rascals. Holiday ticket packs, season tickets and group outings are available now by calling UC Health Stadium at 859-594-4487.
The Freedom are members of the professional Independent Frontier League, and play all home games at UC Health Stadium, located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence, Kentucky.
Frontier League Stories from December 12, 2012
- From One Small Business to Another: Schaumburg Boomers Billboard Auction Open to Area Small Business - Schaumburg Boomers
- Wild Things Tap Bart Zeller - Washington Wild Things
- Diamondbacks Sign Freedom Righty Allen - Florence Y'alls
- Miller Returns to Beach Bums 'Pen - Traverse City Beach Bums
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