Michael Clemens

MICHAEL CLEMENS	RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
	Born: July 27, 1993 Height: 6’4″ Weight: 225 Bats: Right Throws: Right Drafted: 17th Round, 521st Overall, 2014 How Acquired: Draft College: McNeese State Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

Clemens made some prospect lists coming out of high school, but not as a college junior. He had a good season pitching mainly as the McNeese closer when he was a freshman, but his sophomore season was a disaster. Whether he was hurt or not I haven’t been able to find out. He took a regular turn in the rotation as a junior, but didn’t pitch well. It’s possible the Pirates think he’ll improve if he goes back to relief. I can’t find out much about what he throws, except that his fastball is around 90 mph. He had a year of eligibility left, but Clemens signed shortly after the draft and was assigned to Bristol.

2014
R+: 0-0-3, 1.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 18.0 IP, 2.5 BB/9, 10.0 K/9

Clemens pitched in relief at Bristol and put up strong numbers across the board. The numbers have to be taken with a grain of salt, though, as he was a draftee from a four-year college pitching against less experienced hitters. Unfortunately, late in the season he was suspended for 68 games after testing positive for HGH.

I’m not sure whether Clemens’ suspension will pick up when the full-season leagues start play in 2015 or when the short-season leagues open. If it’s the former, he won’t be available until close to mid-season. If it’s the latter, he’ll miss most of the season. He pitched well enough at Bristol that the Pirates could try him at West Virginia once he’s eligible to play.

STATS

Baseball Reference — Minors
Fangraphs
MiLB.com

NCAA	W-L-Sv	G	GS	IP	H	HR	BB	K	WHIP	OAVG	ERA
2014	4-4-0	14	14	79.2	95	7	26	54	1.52	.294	5.99
2013	0-1-0	5	3	9.1	19	0	10	5	3.11	.432	9.65
2012	3-3-6	20	7	63.0	52	4	22	50	1.17	.226	3.43

CONTRACT INFORMATION

2015: Minor league contract

PLAYER INFORMATION

Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2014
MLB Debut:
MiLB FA Eligible: 2020
MLB FA Eligible:
Rule 5 Eligible: 2017
Added to 40-Man:
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000

TRANSACTIONS

June 7, 2014: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 17th round, 521st overall pick; signed on June 14.