Roger Clemens
| IP | 4916 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.125 |
| WHIP | 1.173 |
| BB/9 | 2.893 |
| SO/9 | 8.553 |
- Full name William Roger Clemens
- Born 08/04/1962 in Dayton, OH
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 235 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Texas
- Debut 05/15/1984
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Drafted in the 1st round (19th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 1983 (signed for $121,000).
View Draft Report
It’s been an up-and-down season for the hard-throwing righthander, which has caused some concern among a few clubs. A loser of his first two decisions this year, Clemens eventually settled down to win nine straight before being rocked again his last few times out. Projected early as the top college pitcher in the draft this year, he may not be No. 1 any longer. “The thing that bothers me about him,” said one scouting director, “is that we clocked him at 91 (mph) in the first inning of one game, but he was only throwing at 82 by the eighth inning." Clemens is a great control pitcher. In 118 innings this season, he had walked just 15 while fanning 102 to go with a 9-4 record and an ERA that has shot up to 3.37. A year ago, he was 12-2, 1.99 with 90 strikeouts in 109 innings. Clemens is supposedly the best of the Texas starters, but more and more clubs are talking about Longhorns teammate Calvin Schiraldi, the Southwest Conference pitcher of the year, as being the higher draft pick.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The most accomplished pitcher from the 1983 draft, Clemens is expected to start the season in Triple-A, but some scouts say he is ready for the varsity rotation. If Dennis Eckersley is traded, either this spring or before the June 15 deadline, part of the reason likely will be because the Red Sox think Clemens can fill the spot in the rotation. In 11 pro starts last season after helping the University of Texas win the NCAA championship, Clemens had a 7-2 record, 1.33 ERA, 95 strikeouts and just 12 walks in 81 innings. He was equally dominant in both the Florida State League and the Eastern League. Clemens’ fastball approaches 90 mph, he has two speeds on his curveball, and he is developing a forkball that will serve as a changeup. Scouts say that his delivery is flawless--each pitch coming from the same motion--and that he puts the ball on a hitter’s wrists as well as any young pitcher in years.
Minor League Top Prospects
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After he lost a close 1-0 game to Vero Beach in July, veteran Dodgers manager Stan Wasiak was talking not so much about his team’s win as he was the control of Clemens. “Whatever they spent on him,” Wasiak exclaimed, “it was worth it. He has to be one of the best pitching prospects I’ve seen this year . . . one of the best I’ve ever seen.” Though he appeared in just four games at Winter Haven before being promoted to Double-A New Britain, Clemens was named by virtually everyone in the Florida State League responding to the Baseball America survey. He was also named the top prospect in the Eastern League, where he helped lead the Red Sox to the league title. “He didn’t walk anyone,” gushed Winter Haven manager Tom Kotchman. “In four games and 29 innings.” Clemens won three of four decisions in the FSL and allowed but 24 hits while whiffing 36 batters. -
The 6-foot-3, 210 pound righthander from the University of Texas, Boston’s No. 1 draft pick in June, is considered a “can’t miss” kid. He has four potential major league pitches: fastball, curveball, slider and changeup. “He has a great makeup for a pitcher,” said one American League scout. “He’s a pitcher in a hurry--he improved greatly from the first time he pitched in the league to his last time,” said a National League scout. “He could be the best pitcher out of the draft. He’ll be helping the Red Sox in a hurry--he’s that good.” New Britain manager Rac Slider called Clemens the best pitching prospect he's had in 23 years of managing in the minors. He's regarded as very cocky. One Eastern League observer said Clemens had a Robert Redford face and Robert Feller fastball. He has been clocked at 91 mph.
Best Tools List
- Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the National League in 2005
Scouting Reports
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The most accomplished pitcher from the 1983 draft, Clemens is expected to start the season in Triple-A, but some scouts say he is ready for the varsity rotation. If Dennis Eckersley is traded, either this spring or before the June 15 deadline, part of the reason likely will be because the Red Sox think Clemens can fill the spot in the rotation. In 11 pro starts last season after helping the University of Texas win the NCAA championship, Clemens had a 7-2 record, 1.33 ERA, 95 strikeouts and just 12 walks in 81 innings. He was equally dominant in both the Florida State League and the Eastern League. Clemens’ fastball approaches 90 mph, he has two speeds on his curveball, and he is developing a forkball that will serve as a changeup. Scouts say that his delivery is flawless--each pitch coming from the same motion--and that he puts the ball on a hitter’s wrists as well as any young pitcher in years. -
The 6-foot-3, 210 pound righthander from the University of Texas, Boston’s No. 1 draft pick in June, is considered a “can’t miss” kid. He has four potential major league pitches: fastball, curveball, slider and changeup. “He has a great makeup for a pitcher,” said one American League scout. “He’s a pitcher in a hurry--he improved greatly from the first time he pitched in the league to his last time,” said a National League scout. “He could be the best pitcher out of the draft. He’ll be helping the Red Sox in a hurry--he’s that good.” New Britain manager Rac Slider called Clemens the best pitching prospect he's had in 23 years of managing in the minors. He's regarded as very cocky. One Eastern League observer said Clemens had a Robert Redford face and Robert Feller fastball. He has been clocked at 91 mph. -
After he lost a close 1-0 game to Vero Beach in July, veteran Dodgers manager Stan Wasiak was talking not so much about his team’s win as he was the control of Clemens. “Whatever they spent on him,” Wasiak exclaimed, “it was worth it. He has to be one of the best pitching prospects I’ve seen this year . . . one of the best I’ve ever seen.” Though he appeared in just four games at Winter Haven before being promoted to Double-A New Britain, Clemens was named by virtually everyone in the Florida State League responding to the Baseball America survey. He was also named the top prospect in the Eastern League, where he helped lead the Red Sox to the league title. “He didn’t walk anyone,” gushed Winter Haven manager Tom Kotchman. “In four games and 29 innings.” Clemens won three of four decisions in the FSL and allowed but 24 hits while whiffing 36 batters.
