Kolby Allard to start for the Rangers

Kolby Kenneth Allard was born Aug. 13, 1997 in Anaheim, Calif. The Braves drafted Allard in the first round of the 2015 draft (14th overall). He attended San Clemente (Calif.) HS. Other 2015 first-round picks include Dansby Swanson (No. 1 by Arizona) and Mike Soroka (No. 28 by the Braves). In 2017 at Double-A Mississippi, Allard was 8-11 with a 3.18 ERA. Allard was a non-roster invitee to Braves spring training in 2018.

The Rangers plan to call up pitcher Kolby Allard and use him as their starter at the Brewers on Friday, the Rangers announced Tuesday afternoon.

The Braves traded the lefty Allard to the Rangers for right-handed reliever Chris Martin on July 30. Since then, Allard has made one start, Aug. 3 for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. He pitched five innings, allowing four hits and no runs. He walked two and struck out eight.

For the Gwinnett Stripers this season, Allard was 7-5 with a 4.17 ERA. Opposing batters hit .284 against him, and he gave up 15 home runs in 110 innings pitched.

Allard, a first-round draft choice in 2015, once was considered a top prospect for the Braves, but he fell out of favor with the organization. He has made three appearances in the majors, one of them a start. He is 1-1 with a 12.38 ERA. He has allowed 19 hits and walked four in eight innings. He has a WHIP of 2.88, and opposing batters are hitting. 438 against him.