PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Matt Allan, a promising pitching prospect for the New York Mets, returned to action with impressive form by striking out five of the 11 batters he faced during 2 2/3 scoreless innings. This performance in the Florida State League marks his first game appearance in six long years. Pitching for Class A St. Lucie against the Jupiter squad, Allan showed resilience and composure on the mound.
Allan, a right-handed pitcher nearing his 24th birthday on April 17, conceded only two hits along with two walks during his outing. Of the 44 pitches he delivered, 28 were strikes, emphasizing his control and precision.
Originally drafted by the Mets in the third round of the 2019 amateur draft, Allan was the 89th overall pick hailing from Seminole High School in Sanford, Florida. He signed a lucrative deal worth $2.5 million. In 2019, Allan pitched in five starts and made one relief appearance for teams in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League and Class A Brooklyn, but hadn’t taken the field since August 31 of that year.
The halt in his career was influenced heavily by the disruption of the 2020 minor league season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Facing further setbacks, Allan underwent Tommy John surgery on May 14, 2021. His recovery was further complicated by right elbow ulnar nerve transposition surgery on January 11 of the following year, and subsequently, a Tommy John revision surgery in 2023.