Videos: Stetson Allie Slugging Homers

Stetson Allie is approaching 100 at-bats. The numbers are amazing.

Allie has been converted from a hitter to a pitcher and back again. In 97 at-bats, the Pirates slugger has 34 hits – including two doubles and eight bombs with 26 runs batted in to send his numbers through the roof–a .351 batting average, .600 slugging, and an OPS of 1.069.

The high school third baseman turned pitcher has been crushing opposite-field home runs, as directed by West Virginia Power coach Orlando Merced.  The homers have been exciting to read about,  but even more thrilling to see on video.

A video from Mike Newman takes a close look at Allie’s swing. The breaking balls seem to be a battle in a few of these clips and have likely led to the 33 strikeouts for the slugging first-baseman / DH.

This is the homer Allie hit on April 16, and it reveals what Allie must have known all along.  He has to feel confident at the plate, a confidence he was never able to find while on the mound.

The Bucs picked Allie back in the second round of the 2010 Draft.  The Ohio native received a $2.25 million signing bonus, but it was with the thought that he would be a pitcher.

After making seven starts and 15 appearances for the short season State College Spikes, it was evident he was unable to harness his electric stuff.  We remember watching him easily strikeout everyone in sight, but he always struggled with control, putting up 29 walks and 28 strikeouts over 26 innings.

Without a powerful first baseman in the Pirates system, it’s great seeing him have success as a hitter.