Q&A with Jay Allen II

Nine Questions with Jay Allen II

In accordance with Black History Month, the Dragons are spotlighting African-American players on their roster.

Jay Allen II spent parts of the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Dragons. He was originally signed as a supplemental first round draft pick in 2021 by the Reds out of Fort Pierce, Florida. In high school, he was a three-sport star, also drawing attention as a quarterback in football and as a basketball player. With the Dragons in 2022, Jay broke the all-time Dayton franchise record for most stolen bases in a single game with five. He endured injuries in 2023 but could return to the Dragons in 2024.

Q: Jay, first of all, how did you enjoy your time in Dayton in 2022 and 2023, playing in front of some of the biggest crowds in Minor League Baseball?

Jay: Playing in front of such great fans and such a great environment is always so exciting. I look forward to it every day.

Q: At what point in your childhood did you begin to consider the idea that you might someday play professional baseball?

Jay: As a child I always dreamed, but my goal was to always enjoy whatever sport I was playing, so it wasn’t until about senior year of high school that I felt the actual reality of that dream coming true.

Q: Was there a major league player that you took a special liking to, or emulated?

Jay: Being from a small city with not many people making it out, I took a special liking to players like Charles Johnson, Andrew McCutchen, Mookie Betts, Eric Davis, and Barry Larkin. A lot of great players who in a sense I thought looked as I did.

Q: You were a multi-sport athlete. What made baseball the best choice for you?

Jay: It was the safest choice for my body. I felt I could really be something if I applied my full-time effort into just baseball without the wear and tear of getting hurt in football.

Q: As you started to have more and more success and began to draw more attention, did you have a role model that helped you through what was surely starting to become a unique childhood, traveling to baseball events in different locations?

Jay: Honestly, my parents. My dad was great in all sports and my mom was great in softball so I wanted to stay as active as them, while staying level headed, getting everything I needed to get done, and striving to just be great.

Q: Prior to the day you signed your first contract with the Reds, what was your greatest baseball moment?

Jay: Gosh! So many broad memories from baseball but my greatest baseball moment probably happened my senior year where I made a Bo Jackson like over shoulder catch to save an inning, then tripled to keep our lead in the bottom half to send us back to the states.

Q: While you have enjoyed tremendous success as a baseball player, did you have to overcome any specific challenges that might have otherwise held you back or kept you from fulfilling your dreams?

Jay: Yes, in eighth grade I had a pretty serious ankle injury that required surgery and a fix of my growth plate. It was something I never endured and the first time I had to be off my feet in honestly my whole life. A lot of tough nights and thoughts as to if I would be able to move the same.

Q: As an African-American player, do you feel like you can help encourage more African-American kids to compete in baseball and follow your lead?

Jay: 100% and that’s what I look to do every time I cross the lines on the baseball field. I want to give hope to that little kid who was quiet and just had his/her mind filled with a dream of making it on TV. I want to be a living testament of how realistic any of your dreams are.

Q: Professional baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson Day every year and his uniform number is retired for every team in the majors and minors. Are you proud to continue his legacy?

Jay: Proud is an understatement. I would not be here if it wasn’t for Jackie Robinson. He gave me so much hope and so much drive to keep going. I will be forever thankful for his sacrifice and bravery for us African-American players.