FRISCO, Texas — In the summer of 2016, Austin Allen’s weight ballooned to just under 250 pounds. He batted .319 during his full-season debut with Low-A Fort Wayne, but questions concerning his defensive future abounded. The burden on a 6-foot-2 frame was exacerbated by the requirements of the catching position.



“It was just bad,” Allen recalled. “My knees were killing me. My legs hurt every day. I was still able to hit, but my catching, I was dreading it. I was getting tired by, like, the third inning carrying around all that extra weight.”



Two years later, the Padres prospect is one of nine players who will represent Double-A San Antonio in the Texas League All-Star Game on Tuesday. That Allen, 24, is still behind the plate speaks to his resolve to shed a reputation. The questions have lingered, even as the weight has come off.



“I like it,” Allen said with a smile. “I like when people doubt...