With their roster mostly complete minus potential help in the outfield, bench and bullpen, the Phillies have been looking to add pitching depth. On Tuesday, they announced they’d agreed to a one-year deal with left-hander Kolby Allard.
Allard is 26 and spent last season with the Braves. He was originally a first-round pick by Atlanta in 2015, five spots after the Phillies selected high school outfielder Cornelius Randolph.
Allard has made 69 career appearances, 38 of them starts, and has a 6.10 ERA. He’s not overpowering with a fastball that averages 90-91 mph.
Allard could provide rotation depth for a Phillies team that is thin beyond its five starters (Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Taijuan Walker and Cristopher Sanchez.) The only other potential starting options on the 40-man roster are Nick Nelson and Dylan Covey.
Allard has one option year remaining so the Phillies would be able to move him from Triple A to the majors as needed. He is under club control through 2026 so they could go through the arbitration process with him if he impresses this season.
