Koby Clemens
| AB | 2815 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .26 |
| OBP | .352 |
| SLG | .449 |
| HR | 102 |
- Full name Koby Aaron Clemens
- Born 12/04/1986 in Houston, TX
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Memorial
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Drafted in the 8th round (254th overall) by the Houston Astros in 2005 (signed for $380,000).
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Koby's dad Roger won the clinching game of the 1983 College World Series for Texas before launching a Hall of Fame career in the majors. Though he has thrown two no-hitters and his velocity has climbed into the 90s at times this spring, he projects more as a third baseman. His best tool is his power, and he also has arm strength and decent agility at the hot corner.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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When Houston made Clemens a surprise eighth-round pick in 2005, it was as much to persuade his father Roger to extend his career with the Astros than it was a belief that Koby might one day play in the big leagues. Clemens has exceeded expectations and had the best year of his career in 2009, leading the minors in RBIs (123) while ranking second in extra-base hits (73) and slugging (.620), third in doubles (45) and fourth in batting (.341). He was repeating high Class A and benefited from playing at the launching pad in Lancaster, but he also performed well on the road in the California League. Clemens made strides at the plate last season, shortening his actions in his hitting approach. He did a better job keeping his head still and maintaining a stronger foundation underneath him. He's adept at working the right-center field gap and handles pitches on the outer half well. Despite his gaudy numbers, he projects more as a doubles hitter with a chance for average power in the future. Clemens' chances of reaching Houston would be better if he weren't a well-below-average catcher. He threw out just 26 percent of basestealers in 2009, allowing 72 steals and 19 passed balls in 71 games. He also spent time in left field, where he's also below-average. He played third base in his first three pro seasons, but lacked range and consistency there. He does have arm strength. Headed for Double-A, Clemens will have to prove his 2009 performance was more than a Cal League aberration. The Astros may move him off catcher, which could enhance the development of his bat. -
Even if he doesn't play in the majors, Clemens will have made some significant contributions to the Astros. His presence in the system helped entice his father Roger to pitch an additional season for Houston in 2006. Koby also has made a positive impression on several farmhands with his leadership, work ethic and utter lack of any sense of entitlement. The Astros say he has some talent, too, though they were the only club that would have popped him in the eighth round of the 2005 draft. He doesn't have his father's natural ability, but he does have a sound swing and legitimate raw power. He boosted his slugging percentage 66 points while repeating low Class A in 2007, but his strikeout rate spiked in the process. He does have the patience to draw some walks. Clemens is going to have to hit because his athleticism, speed and range at third base are all well-below-average. He works very hard on his defense and has made some progress, but he's still not going to get to balls that other third basemen will gobble up. If he gets any thicker or slower, he'll have to play first base. Clemens will remain at third base and move up to high Class A this year. -
Clemens already has made a significant contribution to the Astros, as his presence in the organization helped persuade his father Roger to pitch at least one more season for the club in 2006. When Roger made his first tuneup start at Lexington on June 6, Koby was his third baseman and backed him with an RBI double. He's also a natural leader who's looked up to by many of his teammates. Houston believes Clemens can help them with his on-field performance as well. He missed five weeks after dislocating his left pinky diving into a base in late April, and he never got going in low Class A. He does have a sound swing and raw power, and the Astros think his ability to make adjustments will get him back on track. Clemens has below-average speed, range and athleticism, but he has worked hard to make himself into a third baseman. He gladly accepted an assignment to Hawaii Winter Baseball, where he focused on his defense. He showed a low-90s fastball as a high school senior, so he has more than enough arm for the hot corner, but if his body gets any thicker he could face a move to first base. Houston could challenge him with a move to high Class A in 2007. -
Most Texas area scouts regarded Roger Clemens' eldest son as a decent player who'd be best off following through on his commitment to Texas rather than turning pro. So it was somewhat of a surprise when Houston took him in the eighth round and signed him for $380,000, the equivalent of late third-round money. But Koby proved to be better than scouts had thought and more than a nepotism pick. Though he threw two no-hitters and flashed a low-90s fastball as a high school senior, Clemens won't follow his dad to the mound. His best tool is his power, and he showed more pop and hitting ability than even the Astros realized he had. Growing up around the game enabled him to make an easy transition to pro ball, and he showed a feel for making adjustments. He has a sound swing and began to use the opposite field. Clemens has his father's build but in a 5-foot-11 frame, so he's not a tremendous athlete. He has the arm strength to play at third base, but will have to exert himself to maintain the range and agility to stay there. That's not an issue because his work ethic (like Roger's) is off the charts. He had back surgery in 2004, so he might move to a less demanding position eventually. If Clemens can remain at the hot corner, he could develop into a big league regular. He has the makeup to handle an assignment to low Class A in 2006.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Clemens proved his selection in the eighth round and his $380,000 signing bonus were based on more than nepotism. In his first summer as a pro, the son of Astros ace Roger Clemens showed promising power and an advanced plan at the plate. "The mechanical components of his swing are sound," Smith said. "At times, he's long to the ball, but he gets the bat head through the zone, which is what matters. When he gets his pitch, he knows what do with it." Because Clemens has been exposed to professional baseball his entire life, his transition to the pros went smoothly. He has a plus arm at third base, though his speed and agility are just decent. He has the work ethic he'll need in order to remain at the hot corner.
