Player Profile #2: Jeff Clement

Player Profile's 2nd installment will cover another Mariner, 24 year old Jeff Clement. Jeff Clement was born August 21st, 1983 in Marshalltown, IA, and attended the University of Southern California. In 2005 the Mariners drafted him in the 1st round with the 3rd pick, with the hopes he could become a franchise catcher. Clement made his pro debut at low class A, and ended 2005 in A. He played 34 games, and batted .315/.387/.508 with 6 homers. In 2006 he started the season at AA, and after just 15 games, in which he performed averagely, he was called up to AAA. This act was hurried apparently, as Clement struggled severly through 64 games at the highest minor league level, hitting .257 with little power and a low OBP of .321(His SLG% was just .347). The M's kept Clement in AAA despite his struggles, and it payed off in 2007, when his power developed and he launched 20 Homers and 35 doubles. His eye also improved vastly, as he took 61 Base on Balls. Despite Clements success, Bill Bavasi signed Kenji Jojhima to a multi-year deal. This meant that Clement would start '08 in AAA, again. In 2007, in September, Jeff was called up, and hit .375 and put on quite the show. So, in '08 Clement got hot, hitting .337 /.457/.680 in 47 games, along with 14 Homers. This performance earned him a call up, as Kenji was struggling. However, he was sat on the bench at first. After Bavasi's firing, he was given more time. Unfortunately, he has struggled in the bigs. In 38 games, he is hitting a horrible .165 / .250 / .331 with an OPS+ of just 57. In his September call up it was 237. So for now, all M's fan can do is hope Clement turns around, and that Kenji is traded for a replacement of Sexson.