Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin has yet to reveal his complete Opening Day roster, but one of the locks will be first baseman Brandon Allen. Melvin revealed to the media that Allen will start at first base in the A's season opener against the Seattle Mariners in Tokyo. He beat out Kila Ka'aihue, Wes Timmons and Chris Carter, among others. Daric Barton remains a possibility at the position but is still recovering from shoulder surgery.
Allen claimed the job thanks in part to a strong offensive showing in spring training, but also thanks to a solid defensive performance. He had one error in the spring, while Ka'aihue, his primary competitor, wrapped up the exhibition season with two errors against the Hanshin Tigers. Allen finished the spring with a line of .303/.359/.576 as he looks to provide the A's with a bit more pop from the corner of the infield.
Allen was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks, along with Jordan Norberto, in exchange for relief pitcher Brad Ziegler. Allen appeared in 41 games with the A's in 2011, putting together a line of .205/.259/.356 over 158 plate appearances.