Allen appeared in 77 games with Clinton the following year, batting .267 and tallying 10 homers and 46 RBI.[3] He also played in 55 games with the higher Class A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the California League, where he batted .298, with 10 homers and 45 runs batted in.[3] Allen spent the entire 1997 season with the Class AAMobile BayBears of the Southern League. He batted .253 in 131 games, hitting 17 homers and driving in 75 runs.[3] Allen split 1998 between Mobile and the Class AAALas Vegas Stars of the Pacific Coast League. He batted .253, with 6 homers and 42 RBI in 42 games with Mobile. With Las Vegas, he saw action in 87 games, recording a .267 average, 16 homers, and 45 runs batted in.[3] He returned to Las Vegas for the 1999 season, appearing in 128 games. He batted .273, hit 18 home runs, and drove in 89 runs.[3]
In 2000, Allen batted .311 in 67 games with Las Vegas, tallying 14 homers and 55 RBI.[3] He joined the Padres during the season and made his MLB debut on July 1.[1] Pinch-hitting against Colorado Rockies pitcher Mike Myers in his first at-bat, Allen lined into a double play.[4] Allen appeared in 9 games for the Padres, going hit-less in 12 at-bats.[1]
Detroit Tigers (2000–2001)
On July 17, 2000, the Detroit Tigers acquired Allen from San Diego in exchange for Gabe Alvarez.[1] Allen batted .222 in 25 games for Detroit's Class AAA affiliate, the Toledo Mud Hens.[3] His offensive performance improved significantly after he was promoted to Detroit, as he batted .438 (7 for 16) in 18 games with the Tigers.[1] On August 14, Allen recorded his first MLB hit, a double, off Seattle Mariners pitcher Joel Piñeiro.[5][6] His first MLB home run came on August 29, when he hit a solo homer off Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chuck McElroy.[5][7] On October 1, Allen homered off Minnesota Twins pitcher Eddie Guardado in what would prove to be his final MLB at-bat.[8][9]
In 2001, Allen's final professional season, he saw action in 29 games for Toledo. He posted a .218 batting average, 4 home runs, and 11 runs batted in.[3]
Personal life
Allen graduated from Stanford University in 1995, having earned bachelor's degrees in psychology and economics. He is currently the President and CEO of Westgate Business Services.[10]