Allen, 19, flashes 'spectacular glove' at short

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Nick Allen came as advertised.
The A's 2017 third-round Draft pick dazzled on defense in a start at shortstop against the Dodgers in Monday night's 3-1 loss, making good on Oakland's decision to borrow him from Minor League camp for a day.
"That was a lot of fun," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "For a 19-year-old kid, he's directing traffic out there. He was a traffic cop out there and a pretty spectacular glove. You saw some of the plays he made. Looked good."
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Playing behind righty Kendall Graveman, who compiled seven ground-ball outs, Allen had his fair share of action at shortstop. Even after Graveman's departure, he stayed busy, diving to make an outstanding grab on a hard-hit line drive to take a hit away from Donovan Solano and end the sixth.
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Considered the top defensive prep prospect in last year's Draft class, Allen lived up to his hype. He was in high school at this time last year.
"I see a lot of talent in him," said Graveman, who fired 5 1/3 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. "He's a really good ballplayer, made a couple good defensive plays and even not to panic on a ball that he bobbled and still make a throw and get the runner down the line, so that's fun to see. I'm really impressed with what I've seen from him."
Allen was 0-for-3 at the plate, though he sent a long fly ball to left field opposite Dodgers starter Alex Wood that nearly went out.
Who's on first?
A's do-it-all man Chad Pinder made his first start of the spring at first base Monday. He's largely expected to be Matt Olson's backup this season, should Mark Canha be left off the roster.
"Ollie tells me he's going to be 162 [games], but I don't know that'll be the case," Melvin said. "It might not be often, but if it's once a month or a couple, he needs to be ready for it. I don't think that's the toughest position for him, but we gotta get him out there."

Up next
The A's and Dodgers will be at it again Tuesday, this time at Hohokam Stadium in a 1:05 p.m. PT meeting. Oakland rotation candidate Paul Blackburn gets the start, while Los Angeles will counter with right-hander Kenta Maeda. The game will be available at athletics.com via an exclusive audio webcast.