2024 Chachi #55 Kolby Allard

#49 / Kolby Kenneth Allard / Starting Pitcher

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Left  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  195
Opening Day Age:  26

Born:  August 13, 1997, Anaheim, CA
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, January 23, 2024

Major League Teams:  Atlanta Braves 2018; Texas Rangers 2019-22; Atlanta Braves 2023; Philadelphia Phillies 2024

2024 Topps Atlanta Braves #ATL-16

Late in the season, Kolby Allard helped to somewhat solidify the fifth starter's role, which had been a rotating door since Taijuan Walker's June exit.  Allard's four starts with the Phillies went four, five, five and three innings, respectively, faring slightly better than his predecessors in the role, Michael Mercado and Tyler Phillips.  Overall, Allard was 2-0 with a 5.00 ERA in seven games and 27 innings pitched.  Manager Rob Thomson thought enough of Allard's arsenal that he was added to the NLDS roster, but did not end up appearing in the four-game series.  Allard became a minor league free agent following the season.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2015 Bowman Draft #10
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (5):  2019-23
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Topps Atlanta Braves #ATL-17
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  1 as of 12/23/24, 1 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist

2024 Chachi #55

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

2024 Chachi #54 Michael Rucker / 2024 Chachi #56 Carlos Estevez

Hoskins Joins Brewers; Phils Sign Lefty Allard

2023 Topps Heritage
Now & Then #NT-6

On Friday, the Rhys Hoskins era in Philadelphia (at least the first one) officially ended when the popular first baseman signed a two-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.  I've been hoping since the end of the season the Phillies would find some way to bring Hoskins back into the fold, but with Bryce Harper now the team's everyday first baseman heading into the 2024 season, Hoskins return became even more unlikely.  The Brewers visit Citizens Bank Park June 3rd, 4th and 5th this season, and we'll likely be attendance for at least one of those games, as Hoskins is sure to get a warm reception.

Hoskins' baseball cards first entered my collection in 2014, and he was all over the 2018 baseball card releases following his thrilling debut in 2017.  He might find his way into a few 2024 baseball card sets as a member of the Phillies, but for now, my Hoskins collection stands at 259 different cards.  This is one of the newest cards of his I've added, from the 2023 Topps Heritage High Numbers release, featuring Hoskins mid-slam following his three-run home run against the Braves in Game 3 of the 2022 NLDS.

I'm hoping Hoskins comes back to the Phillies at some point, in any capacity.  He's been a fixture of the team for the past six years and was one of the first pieces in place that resulted in the Phillies returning to the World Series in 2022.  Coincidentally, Milwaukee is home to one of the 11 major league ballparks I have yet to visit, and perhaps we'll need to schedule a trip either this year or next.

Thanks for everything, Rhys, and The Phillies Room will be rooting for you!

* * *

2023 Topps Update #US209

This is been the quietest offseason I can remember in my 40+ years of being a Phillies fan.  Manager Rob Thomson was extended through the 2025 season, free agent Aaron Nola was brought back on a seven-year deal . . . and that was kind of it.  Last Tuesday, January 23rd, the Phillies signed free agent Kolby Allard (lhp) and now Allard and Michael Mercado (rhp) are the only two new additions to the Phillies 40-man roster so far this off-season.  

Allard has pitched in parts of six big league seasons with the Braves and Rangers, appearing in four games last year with the Braves in late June and early July.  He's 9-24 lifetime with a 6.10 ERA in 69 games pitched, included 38 starts.  Allard's newest mainstream baseball card can be found in the 2023 Topps Update set.