Jul 2, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Kody Clemens (2) celebrates after scoring against the Chicago Cubs during the second inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports Kamil Krzaczynski
The Phillies recalled Kody Clemens from Triple-A Lehigh Valley last Saturday when rosters expanded, and he's already managed to make quite the impact in September.
Consider Clemens' key moments in three straight wins for the Phillies:
- In perhaps the best win of the season, the Phillies came back and won 10-9 over the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday. Clemens pinch hit for Johan Rojas in the top of the seventh inning. On the 11th pitch of his at-bat against Erik Swanson, Clemens drove in a run on an RBI fielder's choice.
- The Phillies defeated the Blue Jays 4-2 in a matinee at Rogers Centre on Wednesday, as Clemens hit a two-run home run in the top of the second inning.
Kody Clemens bomb! 💣 pic.twitter.com/0NixEoOIUA
- In Thursday's 5-2 win over the Miami Marlins, Clemens plated two runners with an opposite-field double in the top of the sixth inning. He later scored on a wild pitch.
Even when he's been at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the Phillies have insisted the entire year that they believe Clemens is a Major League-caliber player. It's hurt him that he has a remaining minor-league option this season, so the Phillies have been able to ship him back and forth between Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley without having to designate him for assignment. Clemens also went on the injured list in early June with lower back spasms, halting what had been a very strong start to his season.
Still, Clemens has been extremely productive for the Phillies when needed. Across 77 plate appearances at the MLB level this season, Clemens has four home runs, 15 RBIs and an .820 OPS. It's a small sample size, but Clemens has given the Phillies a boost when he's gotten the chance to do so. He's also done this while displaying defensive flexibility, seeing time at first base, second base and third base. He's played some in the outfield for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, and could probably do so in a pinch for the Phillies.
Clemens will be out of minor-league options next season, so he's probably going to be in the majors somewhere for the entirety of the season. There's a real chance that comes with the Phillies. He could also be a trade target for a team that believes they could give him a larger role than the Phillies, who will still have Edmundo Sosa as their primary utility infielder. The Phillies, though, won't be able to send Clemens to Triple-A Lehigh Valley next year without designating him for assignment, and given what he's shown in parts of two years in red pinstripes, he would almost certainly get claimed on waivers.
The Phillies can figure out whether Clemens fits their MLB club next year in the offseason. In the meantime, the 28-year-old has an opportunity in the coming weeks to prove that he's worthy of being on the 26-man roster that the Phillies carry into the postseason. He'll have a real argument for inclusion if the past few games are any indication.
