Clement to 1st; Moore Impressing
by Jon Shields ~ July 19th, 2008
“The Associated Press reports that Seattle Mariners C Jeff Clement will see some time at first base during the second half of the season.”
This little blurb is on several sites right now, but I can’t find a source article, so I can only assume it hasn’t been published yet.
Though the Mariners are probably just trying to get creative in their attempts to fill the first base void (they have Kenji Johjima taking grounders at first base, too), this could become become Clement’s permanent position sooner than later. He’s not bad behind the plate if you discount his inability to throw out basestealers, but Adam Moore, Seattle’s top catching prospect now that Clement is a big leaguer, is making a lot of noise.
Moore put up some gaudy numbers last year playing in High Desert, the most hitting friendly ballpark of the hitter heavy California League (A+), and many figured his production would drop off a bit with the promotion to AA West Tennessee. Little dropoff occurred; he’s hitting .309/.380/.486 with 10 HR, 56 RBI with 22 doubles and 27 walks through 86 games.
With a promotion to AAA before the end of the season a possibility, Seattle should be looking ahead at ways to fit him onto the big league roster by 2010 or sooner. Moving Clement would be the right move with Moore the superior defender.
Though we talked about this scenario several times before on this site, the M’s could simply be giving Clement ”some time at first base” just to shuffle the lineup here and there, but I prefer to look at the big picture. In an ideal world we have Adam Moore at catcher, Jeff Clement at DH and Dennis Raben at first base in 2-3 years.
5 Responses to Clement to 1st; Moore Impressing
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1 July 19th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
You’re making the assumption that Moore can hold his own with a bat at the MLB level. Clement’s value goes down if he moves to first. I’d rather see him behind the plate. First base power is a dime a doze, plus we have LaHair coming up and probably getting 1st base full time in 2009 (probably).
With LaHair at 1st base full time, Clement has nowhere to go but DH or catch (thanks to Kenji’s bogus contract).
2 July 19th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Yes, I’m making that assumption. Not that he can right now, but that he will be able to by the end of 2009 or 2010. I also agree that Clement’s value goes down if he becomes a regular first baseman, but what are you going to do?
Say Clement is a potential 30 HR guy with so-so defense and Moore is a potential 20 HR guy with very solid, above average defense, you’re really going to keep Moore in the minors to preserve Clement’s value?
Also, you’re making the assumption taht LaHair is a good enough player to start. I don’t think he is the full time first baseman next season.
3 July 19th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
OWNERS favorite Catcher, Johjima
71 games
244 At bats
52 Hits
3 Hr’s
20 SO’s
.213 BATTING AVG.
$6,383,333 a year, 3 year extension
Has a hard time behind the plate, can’t communicate with pitching staff,
and looks like Seattle will be stuck with him for 3 more years. America
has been very good to him. And Seattles Japanese owner who now is
trying to sell his shares.
SuperBoy, Jeff Clement, we were fed so much Media hype on this 1st round pick that we thought he would fly into town, rush to the plate and trot around the bases throwing kisses to the fans.
We have found out that:
35 games
113 At Bats
19 Hits
5 Hr’s (1 for every 23 at bats) Ave. 400 AB’s yr = 17 HR’s (4%)
40 SO’s (35% of the time)
.168 Batting ave.
Has not came CLOSE to throwing anyone out (NO ARM), can’t call a game, and “He needs to get his feet on the ground” is a cop out for WE SHOULD HAVE LEFT THIS KID IN THE MINORS THE REST OF THE YEAR AND MAYBE NEXT.
Jamie Burke:
Games 27 NOT 71 or 35 (JOH then CLEM)
AB’s 60 NOT 244 or 113 (JOH then CLEM)
Hits 15
HR 1
SO’s 4 NOT 20 or 40 (JOH then CLEM)
.250 Batting ave.
$435,000 salary yr.
FSN Commentary, Burke best defensive Catcher on the club. Pitching staff request Burke to catch. Burke calls best game. Have you seen how hard this man plays? Do you know that this is only 6th year behind the plate? He is needed, good year or not and next as well.
A Fan favorite, WHY? Burke always hustles and plays his position like it should be played. No MEDIA hype, No BIG contract just a MAJOR LEAQUE BALLPLAYER.
4 July 19th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
I also think Burke deserves more days behind the plate. AT LEAST give him a couple days a week. All he does is try to play to win every day..
5 July 20th, 2008 at 3:33 am
@ windyrock: there is no question that Burke is the best defensive catcher behind the plate, but I also think that you’re dismissing Clement too quickly. He isn’t as bad behind the plate as your say as his only major problem is throwing runners out. And as far as his offensive numbers go, you have to remember that he’s a rookie, and rookies struggle at the plate more often than not. He’ll come around.
I would rather have Burke behind the plate than Johjima though. Anyday.