Brandon Allen
Encyclopedia
Brandon Durell Allen is a Major League Baseball
first baseman
and left fielder
for the Oakland Athletics
.
in the fifth round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft
. On July 7, , he was traded from the White Sox to the Arizona Diamondbacks
for pitcher
Tony Peña
.
Allen was called up to the majors for the first time on August 22, 2009 and made his debut that day. He finished the game one for four with a single
. Allen would play in 32 games that season and finished with a .202 batting average, four home runs, and 14 RBIs.
After spending most of the 2010 season at Triple-A Reno, Allen was called up on September 1, 2010. In his first game against the San Diego Padres
, he hit his first career grand slam
. He finished the season with a .267 batting average in 22 games.
for Brad Ziegler
. He was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.
On August 23, 2011, Allen became only the second player in history to hit a home run into the upper deck at the New Yankee Stadium (Russell Branyan
being the first). Later in the game he hit a shorter home run into the second deck to help the Athletics defeat the Yankees 6-5.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
and left fielder
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
for the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Allen was drafted by the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in the fifth round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft
2004 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2004 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
. On July 7, , he was traded from the White Sox to the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
for pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Tony Peña
Tony Peña (pitcher)
Ramon Antonio "Tony" Peña , is a Major League Baseball pitcher.He throws a 4-seam and 2-seam fastball, slider, and a changeup...
.
Allen was called up to the majors for the first time on August 22, 2009 and made his debut that day. He finished the game one for four with a single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
. Allen would play in 32 games that season and finished with a .202 batting average, four home runs, and 14 RBIs.
After spending most of the 2010 season at Triple-A Reno, Allen was called up on September 1, 2010. In his first game against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, he hit his first career grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
. He finished the season with a .267 batting average in 22 games.
Oakland Athletics
On July 31, 2011, Allen was traded to the Oakland Athletics with Jordan NorbertoJordan Norberto
Jordan Norberto is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Oakland Athletics.-Professional career:Norberto made the Diamondbacks Opening Day roster in 2010....
for Brad Ziegler
Brad Ziegler
Brad Gregory Ziegler is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-Minor leagues:...
. He was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.
On August 23, 2011, Allen became only the second player in history to hit a home run into the upper deck at the New Yankee Stadium (Russell Branyan
Russell Branyan
Russell Oles Branyan is a Major League Baseball first baseman. He throws right-handed, bats left-handed, and primarily plays first base, but is capable of playing third base and the outfield. Branyan began his professional career in the Cleveland Indians minor league system...
being the first). Later in the game he hit a shorter home run into the second deck to help the Athletics defeat the Yankees 6-5.