Allen Likes Opportunity To Be Two-Way Player At Wright State

AKRON - A commitment to Wright State has only given Cameron Allen the desire to work even harder.

“This is big, it’s the next step for me and I’m happy about it, but there’s still a lot to work on if I’m going to get into the MLB,” Allen said.

The feeling by Allen is that Wright State can help make that dream a reality.

“When I went on a visit in August I really liked the coaching and the attitude their coaches have toward their players in wanting to make them better and work toward MLB if that’s what they want to do,” Allen noted.

The visit came after Wright State saw the 44th-rated 2023 in Ohio at a showcase in Cincinnati.

“I hit well and showed my pitching ability,” Allen reflected about the PBR Top Prospect Games when the hard-throwing right-hander hit 89 with his fastball while reaching 100 with his exit velo and 90 on his outfield velo. “They talked to me afterward and wanted me to visit.”

The 6-2 190-pounder, whose other top college option was Toledo, loved what he saw at Wright State.

“They have the education I wanted, sport medicine, and they have great coaches,” Allen pointed out. “The players were nice and worked together. I saw a lot of people putting in the work.”

Helping make Wright State the fit Allen was looking for is an opportunity to be a two-way player.

“That’s important to me,” explained the 16th-ranked senior right-handed pitcher in the state who plays outfield when not on the mound. “I don’t like sitting the bench. I like doing it all. I loved it when they said that I could try two-way.”

The idea of playing baseball at the collegiate level began at the age of 10 according to Allen.

“I realized I was better at baseball than the other sports I play,” noted Allen, who no longer is playing football at Akron Ellet but is still wrestling. 

There were decisions made by Allen that benefited his desire to play at the next level.

“PBR helped a lot,” Allen said. “I went to two PBRs with my old team and that helped. Then I switched to a new team and I got to see a lot of other skilled players. Until then it was a lot of waiting for coaches. It was really stressful. I thought I was going to have to go JUCO. It opened my eyes and I started working harder than ever before and really kept after it. I got more exposure and saw kids that are the real deal.”

Improvement came through it all.

“I focused on getting my velo up pitching, but mainly I focused on hitting better,” Allen related. “I’ve risen above what my level was before and now I’m trying to reach even higher.”

 Allen pointed to two individuals with being major influences on him.

“My old trainer Jose Constanza, who played for the Braves, he was like a second dad when I started working with him a couple of years ago,” Allen said. “And there’s my mom. She’s a single mother who never gives up when things are hard. That’s what I do.”

The 44th-rated 2023 in Ohio understands the challenges ahead in being a two-way player in a program like Wright State.

“I need to work on my vision at the plate and take the ball oppo when needed,” Allen said. “With pitching I need to work on my location. Either way, depending on where I’m at with each, eventually I’ll have to choose one.”

For now, the 17-year-old looks forward to making an impact in the Horizon League program.

“I’m hoping to get game experience, have a lot of fun with new teammates and just have fun playing the game I love,” Allen concluded.