Mets sign first baseman Brandon Allen

The New York Mets today announced the club signed first baseman Brandon Allen to a minor league contract with an invite to major league Spring Training.

Allen, 28, spent last season in the Mets' organization, appearing in 98 games with Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League. The 6-2, 235-pound native of Conroe, TX hit .266 (85-320) with 13 home runs and 52 RBI for the 51s. Allen, who throws righthanded and hits from the left side, also played five games with St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League, hitting .471 (8-17) with five RBI.

Originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the fifth round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft out of Montgomery (TX) High School, Allen made his major league debut in 2009 with Arizona. He has also played for Oakland and Tampa Bay, and has a .203 (70-344) lifetime average over 116 big league games.