Allison Article...

Allison making pitch for recovery

5-5-05

By Bill Hass Staff Writer

News & Record

GREENSBORO -- Jeff Allison, whose career was almost ended by an addiction to drugs, will start to rebuild his path to the major leagues tonight.

Allison, the Florida Marlins' No. 1 draft pick out of Peabody (Mass.) High School in 2003, will pitch for the Greensboro Grasshoppers in First Horizon Park against the Delmarva Shorebirds at 7 p.m.

To make room for him on the roster, the Marlins promoted the Hoppers' top pitcher, Jason Vargas, to Jupiter in the Florida State League. Vargas was 4-1 with an ERA of 0.80 and 33 strikeouts in 332/3 innings.

Tonight will mark Allison's first organized competition since the late summer of 2003, when he pitched in three games for the Marlins' team in the Gulf Coast League. He missed all of 2004 when he was placed on the restricted list and did not attend spring training this year.

The Marlins assigned Allison to Greensboro on April 10, placed him on the inactive list and made him off limits to the media. He was unavailable for comment Wednesday.

Allison used the time to get in shape and build his arm strength by throwing several bullpen sessions and simulated games.

"He's been outstanding," said Jim Fleming, the Marlins' vice president for player development, who has received regular reports on Allison's progress.

"His breaking ball and fastball have been excellent and his changeup, which he never had to use much, is developing. And he has had very good command in the pen. He's definitely ready."

Like all starters in their first time out, Allison will be on a pitch count, although Fleming didn't know exactly what it would be. He will be a part of the Hoppers' regular five-man rotation.

Hoppers manager Brandon Hyde said his staff is eager to see Allison in a game.

"He has an electric arm," Hyde said. "He's competitive, strong and he's been thrashing at the bit to get out there."

Hyde said Allison was quickly accepted by his teammates, a few of whom played with him in the Gulf Coast League in 2003.

"He's a great guy, a great teammate and has been positive with the players," Hyde said. "He fit right in."

Allison's story has been documented in several publications, including Sports Illustrated.

Two years ago, he was the best high school pitcher in the country, a "can't miss" prospect who struck out 142 batters in 64 innings and didn't allow an earned run his senior year at Peabody. He was the 16th player selected in the draft and agreed to a signing bonus of $1.85 million.

But he became addicted to the powerful painkiller OxyContin. Accounts vary as to whether he started in high school or after graduation. He eventually confessed to the Marlins.

Allison reported to spring training in 2004. After he tested positive for marijuana, the Marlins put him on the restricted list, meaning his bonus payments stopped. At home that summer, he nearly died from a heroin overdose while out with a friend.

Since then, he has been seen around Peabody and has been in substance abuse treatment centers at least twice. The Marlins have steadfastly refused to comment on his problems and now will only talk about his performance.

There were three things about Allison that stood out to the Marlins when they drafted him.

"First, he had outstanding stuff," Fleming said. "High school kids usually project what they're going to do, but he was already right there.

"Second, he had great command, which is unusual for someone in high school. He could pitch to both sides of the plate effectively.

"Third, he was very competitive and tough-minded on the mound."

Fleming said the Marlins don't have a plan for Allison's progress other than to let him pitch and evaluate him as he goes.

"He's like everybody else -- he has to get back in the swing and prove himself every day," Fleming said. "Everything is on track."

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