Matt Allen’s Long-Awaited Return: Mets' Former Top Pitching Prospect is Finally Back
After years of setbacks and uncertainty, Matt Allen, once the New York Mets' most promising pitching prospect, is finally making his return to the mound.
It has been over five years since Matt Allen, once the Mets’ most promising young pitcher, last took the mound in a competitive game. After a series of setbacks and multiple elbow surgeries, Allen is finally poised to resume his career. The right-hander, who was drafted in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft, has overcome tremendous obstacles, and his return to action is one of the most significant stories to emerge from Mets’ spring camp this year.
A Career Derailed by Injuries
Allen’s journey from top prospect to medical rehabilitation case has been a difficult one. The Mets took a bold approach when they selected him in the 2019 draft, giving him a $2.5 million signing bonus—first-round money—to lure him away from his commitment to the University of Florida. At the time, Allen was seen as a steal, a pitcher with front-line potential thanks to a powerful fastball and sharp breaking pitches.
However, concerns about his elbow, which had been lingering since his teenage years, proved prescient. After a promising start in the Mets’ minor league system, he reported to big league camp in 2021 with high expectations. The Mets even had him shadow Jacob deGrom, seeing him as a potential ace of the future. But at the end of camp, disaster struck—Allen needed Tommy John surgery.
Unfortunately, that was just the beginning. Less than a year later, he required a nerve repositioning procedure, a common secondary surgery for pitchers recovering from Tommy John. But even after that, the pain persisted, leading to a third procedure in February 2023—another full UCL revision, essentially a second Tommy John surgery.
The Road Back
Fast forward to today, and Allen is finally healthy. He has been throwing bullpen sessions, live batting practice, and is expected to pitch in minor league games soon. Reports from Mets camp indicate that his fastball is sitting at 94 mph and touching 97, a sign that his arm strength has returned.
More importantly, Allen has expanded his repertoire. While he was once primarily a fastball-curveball pitcher, he has now developed a more complete arsenal, including an improved changeup and a newly added cutter. His time away from the game has given him an opportunity to refine his mechanics, and he now has a deeper understanding of his body and his pitching motion.
What’s Next for Allen?
While Allen’s return is a feel-good story, the road ahead remains uncertain. He hasn’t faced live competition in over five years, and the jump from rehab sessions to actual game action will be significant. Control issues are expected, and he will need to prove he can handle the workload of a full season.
The Mets have yet to announce where Allen will begin the year, but it’s likely he will start in the lower minors to build up his innings. Port St. Lucie, where he has spent the majority of his professional career rehabbing, could be his first stop. If he progresses well, a move up the system could come quickly.
For now, the biggest takeaway is that Allen is back, and for the first time in years, he has a chance to chase his big-league dreams. Mets fans who have been eagerly awaiting his return will finally get to see if the former top prospect can reclaim his place as a future star in the organization.