2019 Draft - Mets Pick 3.89 - RHP Matthew Allen - Seminole (FL) HS

With the 89th pick in the 2019 draft, the New York Mets picked Seminole (FL) HS, RHP Matthew Allen.

Last Word On Baseball - Strengths - Allan’s arm is far more advanced than the average 18-year old. According to scouts across the country, the high schooler can already consistently hit 97 with his fastball. On top of that, the righty has reportedly managed to maintain that velocity deep into starts and should only add strength with age. He can throw the fastball basically wherever he wants, boasting strong control in the top and bottom portions of the zone.

Allan complements his fastball with a plus curveball. The curveball doesn’t have the best movement, but it’s able to ride in on hitters and generates a strong percentage of swings and misses. He also throws a changeup which is easily the third pitch in his repertoire. While it’s his weakest offering, it still has above-average potential and gives hitters something to think about.

From a physical standpoint, Allan is everything a scout could want. At 6’3” and 210 pounds, Allan possesses the ideal build and size for a pitcher. Taller pitchers tend to struggle with command, and Allan’s height shouldn’t pose an issue. Additionally, his 210-pound frame suggests he has the build required to hold up to a starters’ workload.

Weaknesses - Allan does a lot of things well, but he doesn’t do anything at an elite level. His fastball has ideal velocity and he has above-average command, but the offering itself doesn’t have outstanding movement. His other tools make up for this, but it’s still worth noting. Mechanically speaking, scouts aren’t fans of Allan’s backward arm action. Some believe that the motion is too lanky and elongated, but it doesn’t affect Allan’s ultimate ability to find the plate.

Additionally, Allan is still a high school recruit and has committed to Florida. Any team drafting him risks Allan not signing and leaving the 2019 MLB Draft with nothing. While teams obviously have ways of measuring this risk, it’s still worth pointing out. If Allan doesn’t like the team drafting him or the money just isn’t there, the righty will head off to college.

247 sports - The next most likely to go at this point is right-handed pitcher Matthew Allen of Sanford (FL) Seminole. The MLB.com mock draft has Allen going to the Nationals at pick No. 17. Allen can throw 97 and has three solid pitches in his fastball, a hard curve, and an above average change up. Again, going this high is going to be tough to keep him in the fold in the Florida class but it isn’t out of the question so I am told.