Apr 22, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Kody Clemens (2) celebrates with outfielder Nick Castellanos (8) and second baseman Bryson Stott (5) after hitting a three-run home run in the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports Katie Stratman
WASHINGTON — There's little debate about whether Kody Clemens is worthy of being on an MLB roster. However, when you consider that five of the nine hitters that were in Rob Thomson's Opening Day roster are left-handed, Clemens does seem to be a bit of an odd fit for this iteration of the Phillies.
Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber won't be coming out of the lineup much, barring an injury. If Bryson Stott gets a day off, it will likely come against a tough lefty, with Edmundo Sosa replacing him. And Thomson has talked about wanting to give both Brandon Marsh and Max Kepler runway against left-handed pitching early in the season.
So what does Thomson see as Clemens' role?
"I told Kody at this point it's going to be tough to get him some at-bats," Thomson acknowledged Thursday. "But we'll try, whenever we can, to get him a pinch hit here ... a pinch hit there ... get him a start every once in a while, maybe get [Alec] Bohm off his feet. So we'll just have to do what we can to keep him going, because he's a really good player, and he's a really good offensive player for sure."
For his part, Clemens appears to know what his role is on the team, and is staying sharp for whenever his number is called.
"I'm assuming I'll get a few starts, depending on if guys need days off, or however Topper wants to structure the lineup," Clemens said before Saturday's game. "But I'll know if any other right-handed bats start ... if Sosa or [Johan] Rojas start, I'm assuming I will have a pinch-hit opportunity late in those games depending on if they bring in a right-handed pitcher.
"That's kind of what I'm mentally prepared for," Clemens continued. "I told Topper that I'll be ready for whatever he wants me to do. And he is very open and transparent on what the lineup is gonna be and when I need to be prepared and whatnot. He told me today, just like, be ready for anything, just stuff always happens."
KODY CLEMENS TIES IT WITH TWO OUTS IN THE NINTH pic.twitter.com/d7iXD37PIG
With his reps in games likely to be very limited to start the season, does Clemens do extra pregame work to stay sharp?
"Yeah, I mean every day, I try and work in some ground balls and fly balls and get my running in, just to stay prepared for whenever the time comes where I'm gonna play," Clemens said.
In some senses, Clemens is a victim of circumstance.
If he was on a worse team, he may very well be their best utility infielder. He can play first, second and third base, and has nine home runs in 90 games over the last two seasons for the Phillies. But this current club has one of the best utility infielders in baseball with Sosa.
10 years ago, Clemens probably would have had more value as a late-game option to come off the bench and deliver a big hit when pinch hitting for the pitcher. But the DH became universal in 2022, meaning that pinch hitters are much less valuable than they once were. That's particularly the case on a team with so many other left-handed hitters.
Clemens is out of minor-league options. It's unclear whether the Phillies will continue to use a roster spot on him when Weston Wilson is ready to return from a left oblique strain, likely in late April or early May. If the Phillies designated him for assignment, there's a good chance he would be claimed. Heck, going to a place where he would have a chance at more playing time might be what's best for his career.
But right now, Clemens is excited to be a Phillie, even without a clear role.
"Yeah, I mean, I'm here with the Phillies, and this is my team," Clemens said. "I'm super excited to be with this team, I love the guys. You know it's my third season with them so far. So it's very, very familiar for me and I'm very comfortable. And, you know, I'm all in. I'm all in with the Phils."
