Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers this evening announced that the club has acquired left-handed pitcher Kolby Allard from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for right-handed pitcher Chris Martin. Allard, who was on option to Triple-A Gwinnett with Atlanta, has been optioned to Triple-A Nashville.
President of Baseball Operations/General Manager Jon Daniels made these comments following the trade: “We’re excited to welcome Kolby Allard to Texas. He’s a young starter who already has significant experience at the upper levels. His reputation as a competitor is well known, and we look forward to watching him compete as a Ranger for a long time to come.”
Allard, 21, has posted a 7-5 record with a 4.17 ERA (51 ER/110.0 IP) in 20 games/starts for Triple-A Gwinnett this season, averaging 8.0 strikeouts per 9 innings. He saw his only Major League action with Atlanta in 2018, going 1-1 with a 12.38 ERA (11 ER/8.0 IP) in 3 games/one start for the Braves last season.
The Southern California native was originally selected by Atlanta in the first round (14th overall) of the 2015 June draft and has spent his entire career in the Braves system, compiling a 3.23 ERA, 1.245 WHIP figure, and 8.2 strikeouts per 9 innings over five minor league seasons. He was rated one of the game’s top 100 prospects by Baseball America prior to three straight seasons from 2016-18, and was recently ranked as the no. 12 prospect in the Atlanta system by the same publication.
Martin has posted a 0-2 record with a 3.08 ERA (13 ER/38.0 IP) and 4 saves over 38 relief appearances for the Rangers this season, his second with the club after signing a two-year free agent contact on December 15, 2017. The Arlington native has combined for a 1-7 record, 3.84 ERA, and 1.130 WHIP figure across his 84 relief appearances over two seasons with Texas in 2018-19.
Following these transactions, the Rangers remain at the 40-man limit on the club’s Major League roster, along with six players on the 60-day injured list: LHP Jesse Biddle, RHP Luke Farrell, LHP Taylor Hearn, LHP Yohander Méndez, LHP Jeffrey Springs, and RHP Edinson Vólquez.
From Rangers PR staff reports
