Paul Clemens

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Houston Astros #27 prospect in 2013
  Another piece in the 2011 Michael Bourn trade, Clemens arrived with a reputation as a hard thrower with a bit of a wild streak. He pitched well in big league camp last spring but never got going in Triple-A. He won six of his first 10 decisions but, but his season fell off a cliff as his control failed him. Clemens has a live fastball that ranges from 90-96 mph with good sink. His curveball shows flashes of being a plus pitch, and his sinking changeup gives him a solid third offering when it's on. As with most pitchers, Clemens' success is predicated on fastball command, which comes down to consistency on and off the field. Those issues have dogged him since his amateur days. He lacks the durable frame typical of a starting pitcher, though he has topped 140 innings in each of the last two seasons. The issues with his command, frame and preparation point toward Clemens being a reliever long-term. He'll get another chance as a starter in Triple-A this year.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #5 prospect in 2012
  Clemens broke Javier Lopez's single-game strikeout record at Robinson High (Fairfax, Va.), then took his raw power arm to Louisburg (N.C.) JC before signing with Atlanta as a seventh-rounder in 2008. Astros field coordinator Paul Runge got to know him at the end of his three-decade tenure in the Braves organization and recommended him strongly when Houston made the Michael Bourn trade last July. The Astros also acquired Jordan Schafer and pitchers Brett Oberholtzer and Juan Abreu in the deal. Clemens' fastball sits at 93-96 mph. He has cleaned up his delivery and shortened his arm action over the last few years, helping him find the strike zone more often, but he's still effectively wild. He has improved his direction to the plate, wasting less energy in his high-effort motion. Clemens' secondary pitches have progressed, and his mid-70s downer curve is a plus pitch at times. He also throws a hard cutter/slider hybrid as well as a solid changeup than enables him to handle lefthanders better than righthanders. Houston added Clemens to its 40-man roster in November and intends to keep him as a starter to hone his control and repertoire. He'll begin 2012 back at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he made his final start of 2011. At worst, his strong arm should make him an effective big league reliever.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #26 prospect in 2011
  Clemens has as much raw ability as any pitcher in the organization. He just hasn't been able to put everything together on a consistent basis, a problem that dates back to his college days, when he pitched his way out of the Louisburg (N.C.) JC rotation as a sophomore. In 2010, he was overpowering during the first five weeks at Rome, only to walk four batters in two-thirds of an inning in his debut with Myrtle Beach. He finished strong, however, and posted a better ERA as a starter (2.95) than as a reliever (4.64) in high Class A. On his best days, Clemens hits 97 mph with his fastball and mixes it with an above-average curveball. On others, he tops out at 92 mph and is unable to find the strike zone. He has an ideal pitcher's frame and solid athleticism that should allow him to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter or a useful reliever. Clemens' future role will be determined by his ability to develop a changeup. He also has to improve his feel for pitching and his command, which have proven to be major hurdles in his development. The Braves still love his live arm and potential, however. They've worked with Clemens to help him harness his energy and maintain more of an even keel on the mound. He should reach Double-A at some point in 2011.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #28 prospect in 2010
  Clemens has been somewhat of an enigma over the past two years. He was so ineffective as a sophomore at Louisburg (N.C.) JC in 2008 that he lost his job in the rotation. The Braves still drafted him in the seventh round that June because of his live arm. He was effective in his pro debut but underachieved in low Class A last year. When he's right, Clemens' stuff is undeniable. He has a 91-94 mph fastball he can dial up to 97 and an above-average curveball. The problem, however, is inconsistency. In one game last year he couldn't top 93 mph or throw strikes, but two outings later he was hitting 97 and blowing hitters away with impressive command. Clemens has an ideal pitcher's build and the arm strength to develop into a mid-rotation starter or late-inning reliever. His ability to develop a changeup and refine his command will determine his ultimate role. Clemens still is learning how to harness his energy and improve his understanding of the game. His composure on the mound also needs work. His learning process will continue in high Class A this season.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #23 prospect in 2009
  One of 10 junior college products selected by the Braves in the first 15 rounds of the 2008 draft, Clemens had an ineffective sophomore season and dropped out of the rotation at Louisburg (N.C.) JC. Atlanta loved his electric arm and took him in the seventh round anyway, signing him for $150,000. Possessing a lean, athletic frame with plenty of projectability, Clemens uses whip-like arm action to produce a 91-94 mph fastball that touches 97. He spots his fastball well throughout the strike zone, and it dives inside on righthanded hitters. Clemens has flashed some promise with his curveball and changeup but both pitches remain inconsistent, as does his command. He throws strikes but gets hit more than someone with his fastball should. Atlanta believes Clemens has the arm to develop into a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter, though he'll need time to develop. Plans call for him to pitch in low Class A this season.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked National League #15 prospect in 2008
  Like fellow Danville righthanders Craig Kimbrel (third round), J.J. Hoover (10th) and David Francis (12th), seventh-rounder Clemens is a junior college product from the 2008 draft. Few if any organizations have been as successful at scouring the JC ranks for arms as the Braves, who can count Tommy Hanson, Kris Medlen and Cole Rohrbough among their recent finds. A lean, athletic frame and a whip-quick arm allow Clemens to pitch at 91-93 mph and touch 94 with plus life. He moves his fastball around the zone well and shows feel for an above-average changeup. He'll flash a plus curveball but he'll have to improve his consistency with that pitch to remain a starter.

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Clemens broke Javier Lopez's single-game strikeout record at Robinson High (Fairfax, Va.), then took his raw power arm to Louisburg (N.C.) JC before signing with Atlanta as a seventh-rounder in 2008. Astros field coordinator Paul Runge got to know him at the end of his three-decade tenure in the Braves organization and recommended him as part of the payment Houston received in the Michael Bourn trade last July. Scouting Report: Clemens' fastball sits at 93-96 mph. He has cleaned up his delivery and shortened his arm action over the last few years, helping him find the strike zone more often, but he's still effectively wild. He has improved his direction to the plate, wasting less energy in his high-effort motion. Clemens' secondary pitches have progressed, and his mid-70s downer curve is a plus pitch at times. He also throws a hard cutter/slider hybrid as well as a solid changeup than enables him to handle lefthanders better than righthanders. The Future: Clemens needs innings to keep honing his repertoire and control as a starter. He'll start 2012 back at Triple-A Oklahoma City. At worst, he profiles as a big league reliever.