Top Oakland A’s prospect earns honors at Tokyo Olympics

OAKLAND – Team USA is coming home with silver medals after falling short against Japan, but Oakland A’s prospect Nick Allen earned extra recognition for his performance in Tokyo.

Allen, a 22-year-old shortstop, was named “Best Defensive Player” on the All-Olympic Baseball team. At the plate, Allen hit .286 with three extra-base hits over the course of the Games and collected a game-high three hits in the Olympic final against Japan, a 2-0 loss for the Americans.

“We know he’s a terrific defender. That’s kind of his calling card,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said before their game Saturday against the Texas Rangers. “I’m very proud of him. But it doesn’t surprise me.”

The Tokyo 2020 All-Olympic Baseball Team

MVP: Tetsuto Yamada #JPN !!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/RejlCaJRbt

— WBSC #Baseball #Tokyo2020 (@WBSC) August 7, 2021

The A’s chose Allen out of Parker (San Diego) High School in the third round of the 2017 MLB draft. He’s considered the organization’s No. 3 prospect by MLB.com and Baseball America, which dubbed him a Gold Glove defender.

After failing to post an on-base-plus-slugging percentage above .650 through his first two professional seasons, Allen started to piece it together in his age-20 season at High-A Stockton, his first with more than one home run.

Before departing for Tokyo, Allen was slashing .319/.374/.471 for Double-A Midland.

“Offensively, he’s made some strides over the last couple years, too, so he’s going to be a great player,” Melvin said. “But, man, he brings his glove every day and I’m glad he’s getting noticed for it.”