Logan Allen’s change-up took several weeks to round into shape. All the growing pains that followed after a disastrous spring had cast him into the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League proved necessary developments for a pitcher who had been largely fast-tracked through the Padres’ minor league system.
“Honestly, if I did get that spot out of spring training, I would have been crushed,” the 22-year-old Allen said in the home dugout at Triple-A El Paso a few days before his call-up. “I was not ready.”
He looked ready Tuesday.
The Padres’ seventh-ranked prospect celebrated his big league debut with seven shutout innings and even his first hit, the rally-starter in a 4-1 win over the NL Central-leading Brewers at Petco Park.