Cleveland Guardians pitcher praised for improvements

A Cleveland Guardians pitcher is getting recognition for his performance so far this year.

In a Bleacher Report article from Kerry Miller, Miller named Guardians relief pitcher Kolby Allard as the most improved player on Cleveland’s roster.

“Allard was a first-round pick in the 2015 draft, but never much looked the part before this season. From 2018-24, he logged 272 innings pitched with a 5.99 ERA, bouncing from starter to reliever, as well as from Brave yo Ranger to Phillie. But he’s faring pretty well this far in a mop-up role in Cleveland,” Miller wrote.

After last night’s appearance against the Blue Jays, Allard’s ERA is now at 2.51 over 28.2 innings pitched with 12 strikeouts this season. While he did allow two earned runs against Toronto last night, it was just the second time in 13 appearances that he allowed more than one run.

Allard’s performance is much improved compared to last season in Philadelphia. As a Phillie, Allard had an ERA of 5.00 in 27 innings pitched as he appeared in just seven games.

In his five appearances so far in June, Allard has allowed only three runs in 6.2 innings of relief, including shutting out his opponents in three consecutive appearances from June 5 to June 9.

Allard’s 2.51 ERA is the second best in the Guardians bullpen this season, only behind Cleveland’s most prominent reliever in Cade Smith, who has an ERA of 2.36.