Jeff Clement

Like a popular backup quarterback that never plays, Clement's stock continued to grow within the Pittsburgh organization over the winter despite never playing for the Pirates. General manager Neal Huntington stated that he was happy with his corner infielders and outfielders, listing Clement as one of those players. How Huntington can make that assessment after seeing less than two months worth of Clement up close and personal remains to be seen, but the former Mariner must have made quite an impression in only 98 at-bats with Triple-A Indianapolis. His glove is suspect at first base and even more so behind the plate. His 2009 numbers look solid -- .274./354/.496 -- but he's always hit well in the minors. Pittsburgh is going to find a way to give him an extended major league look. If you still have any faith left in the 27-year-old Clement after years of disappointment, 2010 just might be the season he finally breaks through with significant playing time in the big leagues.

Clement had a tough time in the majors last season, getting called up early and then sent back down before being recalled for good in June. By August, though, he started showing signs of life and hit .317 in his last 82 at-bats with seven doubles. A sore left knee, caused by wear and tear rather than a specific injury, ended his season in early September, and he underwent successful offseason surgery. The question for the Mariners is whether to keep him at catcher or transition him to first base or DH. Expect him to share the catching job with Kenji Johjima and get everyday at-bats at first or DH when not catching, as the Mariners use 2009 to figure out what they have in Clement. Wherever he plays, Clement needs to improve against right-handed pitching, which he struggled against last season after having similar problems in the minors.

Aside from a scorching June, Clement struggled most of the year at Triple-A Tacoma last season. The main culprit was right-handed pitching, as he seemed incapable of getting around on righties. Against lefties, Clement posted a 1.101 OPS, but against right-handers it was just .781. His 20 homers were evenly split even though he had 200 fewer at-bats against southpaws. Interestingly, though, during Clement's nine-game callup in September, he doubled and homered twice off right-handed pitching. The ball carries to right at Safeco Field, which makes Clement's power potential intriguing in that park. Depending on his spring, Clement could land the backup catcher job or be used as a backup DH, though the Mariners have no pressing need to promote him. He could also be used as trade bait as the Mariners are desperate for starting pitching. Clement suffered an elbow injury in the Arizona Fall League, but is expected to be ready for spring training.

Clement remains one of the top two prospects in the Seattle organization, although he struggled significantly at Triple-A Tacoma last season. He hit .288/.386/.525 for a .911 OPS at Double-A San Antonio before missing six weeks with knee and elbow surgeries. Upon his return, the Mariners, who like to promote aggressively, sent Clement to Triple-A where he labored to hit .257/.321/.347. He is still the catcher of the future and scouts are certain he will hit. He'll return to Triple-A to find his swing and polish his catching. He could get a late-season call-up and then back up Kenji Johjima in 2008.

The third overall pick in the 2005 draft, Clement adjusted well to pro ball last season and looks to be on the fast track for 2006. In 30 games for the Low-A Wisconsin, Clement hit .319/.386/.522, with six homers, 12 doubles and 25 strikeouts in 113 at-bats. He'll begin the season at Double-A San Antonio and his rise will depend on how well his defense comes along. Scouts are certain he will hit, but he needs a bit more polish with the glove. The signing of Japanese catcher Kenji Johjima works in Clement's favor as Clement now won't be pushed to Seattle too soon. Expect him to arrive in 2007, backing up Johjima.