Tyler Clippard Stats & Scouting Report

IP	872
ERA	3.158
WHIP	1.111
BB/9	3.55
SO/9	9.867

Full name Tyler Lee Clippard
Born 02/14/1985 in Lexington, KY
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School J.W. Mitchell
Debut 05/20/2007
Drafted in the 9th round (274th overall) by the New York Yankees in 2003 (signed for $75,000).

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Clippard finally reached the majors in 2007, striking out six in six innings while winning his big league debut May 20 against the Mets. That was the peak of his season, however, as major league hitters caught up with his finesse approach and he failed to make adjustments. His confidence took a beating and he faltered at Triple-A after his return to the minors. He finished the year in Double-A before being traded to the Nationals for Jonathan Albaladejo during the Winter Meetings. Clippard can throw his curveball and changeup, both slightly above-average pitches, for quality strikes, and he does a good job of spotting his 87-91 mph fastball, which tops out at 94. His long arms and lanky body add deception to his delivery. With a pedestrian fastball in terms of both velocity and life, Clippard can't afford to miss his spots. He struggled to get hitters out when they were looking fastball and turned into a nibbler, leading to more walks, more runners on base and more three-run homers. Clippard will be just 23 this season, but he doesn't figure to add velocity and his upside is limited. He profiles as a backof- the-rotation starter and could get a shot to fill that role coming out of spring training.
In his third full pro season, Clippard did what he has done every season-- get better. He got off to a rough start at Double-A Trenton but recovered with a dominant second half that included the first no-hitter in the Thunder's 13-year franchise history. He led the Eastern League in strikeouts and ranked fifth in the entire minors. Clippard has figured out how put hitters away at every level without "wow" stuff. He frequently pitches backward because he can throw his curveball and changeup, both slightly above-average pitches, for quality strikes. His long arms and lanky body add deception to his delivery. Though he has filled out his frame to around 200 pounds, Clippard hasn't added fastball velocity. In fact, while he used to touch 94 mph, his fastball usually topped out around 92 in 2006 and sat at 88-90. When he misses, he misses up in the zone and is prone to giving up home runs. Clippard still could use polish to tweak his mechanics and improve his fastball. He won't be an ace, but he should be a solid option as a No. 4 starter in the near future. He'll continue to move up one step at a time, heading to Triple-A in 2007.
Clippard pitched near home in 2005 and had a breakthrough season in high Class A. His 181 strikeouts ranked fifth overall in the minors, and he placed seventh with an average of 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings. Clippard always has pounded the strike zone and shown a willingness to pitch inside. He worked with roving pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras to clean up his delivery, which became more consistent. Subsequently all his pitches got better. He now has an 89-92 mph fastball with some life that touches 94, a plus curveball, a slider and a changeup. He has excellent control with improving command. A fly ball pitcher, Clippard is going to give up homers when he misses his spot while trying to work inside. He must maintain and repeat his delivery as he continues to add weight to his lanky frame. Clippard combines a knack for pitching with solid-average stuff and a strikeout pitch. He profiles as a No. 3 starter and could move quickly if he gets off to a strong start in Double-A this season.
Kicked off his high school baseball team as a senior for drinking alcohol and driving under the influence, Clippard signed as ninth-round pick for $75,000. The Yankees watched him closely in low Class A last year to see how he'd respond to his first full pro season. He passed the test by taking the ball every turn and developing into Battle Creek's most consistent pitcher. Clippard has savvy and control but not overwhelming stuff. At times his curveball is an above-average pitch. He sets it up by spotting his 87-91 mph fastball, which he throws for strikes and works inside. He also throws a changeup and slider. The changeup potentially could be an average big league pitch as well, and it has allowed him to keep lefthanders in check. Clippard still has a gangly physique, and the best-case scenario is that he'll gain velocity on his fastball as he matures physically while retaining his control. He's ready for high Class A.
Clippard became the first athlete in Mitchell High history to receive a NCAA Division I scholarship when he committed to South Florida. But Clippard, who was also a standout prep golfer, was kicked off the baseball team. The Yankees drafted him in the ninth round and signed him for $75,000. Senior vice president for baseball operations Mark Newman calls Clippard one of the more impressive high school pitchers the Yankees have had since Zach Day. Clippard's fastball touches 92 mph and he pitches around 89-90 mph with good life. A sharp 76-78 mph curveball is his best and most advanced pitch. His changeup needs improvement, as does his stamina. He repeats his delivery and fills the strike zone with quality pitches. His eye-catching 56-5 strikeout-walk ratio in his pro debut speaks to his feel for pitching. The Yankees are more apt to take it easy with their young arms, which probably means Clippard will have to begin 2004 in extended spring training. He's more polished than Jason Stephens and another live-armed righthander, Mike Knox, and the three should rise slowly together.

Minor League Top Prospects

Trenton had the league's best pitching staff, and it wasn't just because of Hughes. Clippard's stuff isn't as spectacular, but he continued to improve and topped the EL with 175 strikeouts in 166 innings. "Where Hughes had a plus delivery and arm action, Clippard is the other way around," a scout said. "He does it on deception. He's knock-kneed and gangly and has some effort to him, but he's a strike thrower with solid velocity and a really good curveball." Clippard hides his 88-91 mph fastball well. His plus curveball has above-average depth and three-quarter tilt at 74-76 mph, and he has made strides with his circle changeup. His control is above-average, though he tends to miss up in the strike zone.