Kody Clemens

Clemens attended Memorial High School in Houston, Texas.{{Cite web|title=Kody Clemens College, Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=clemen000kod|access-date=July 29, 2020|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|last1=Lapin|first1=Elliott|last2=writer|first2=Staff|date=June 11, 2020|title=Memorial alum selected in MLB draft|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/memorial/sports/article/Memorial-High-School-Texas-A-M-pitcher-Christian-15336699.php|access-date=July 29, 2020|website=Houston Chronicle}} Playing for the school's baseball team, he batted .553 during his senior season.{{cite web|url=http://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/kody-clemens/JnlCnMGhEeO00gAmVebEWg/gendersport/baseball-stats.html|title=Kody Clemens' (Houston, TX) Baseball Stats|publisher= MaxPreps}}{{dead link|date=September 2024}} He was named first team all-district selection in 2013 and was a Perfect Game Honorable Mention for high school in 2013 and 2014. He committed to the University of Texas at Austin to play college baseball for the Texas Longhorns.{{Cite web |title=Kody Clemens - Baseball |url=https://texassports.com/sports/baseball/roster/kody-clemens/7700 |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=University of Texas Athletics |language=en}}

As a freshman in 2016 he batted with a .242 batting average and five home runs. As a sophomore in 2017, Clemens underwent Tommy John surgery.{{cite web|url=https://www.burntorangenation.com/2016/8/16/12504422/kody-clemens-tommy-john-surgery-texas-longhorns-baseball|title=Texas 3B Kody Clemens to undergo Tommy John surgery|date=August 16, 2016|publisher= Burnt Orange Nation|access-date=June 17, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/roger-clemens-son-kody-undergo-tommy-john-surgery-article-1.2754002|title=Roger Clemens' son and Texas Longhorns infielder Kody to undergo Tommy John surgery |author= Christian Red |date=August 16, 2016 |publisher= NY Daily News|access-date=June 17, 2018}} However, Clemens did play as the team's designated hitter. Clemens had a breakout junior season, batting .352 with 23 home runs. These stats earned him Big 12 player of the week.{{cite web|url=https://www.hookem.com/2018/05/21/after-being-named-the-big-12-top-player-for-this-past-week-will-kody-clemens-win-annual-award/|title=After being named the Big 12's top player for this past week, will Kody Clemens win annual award?|date=May 21, 2018|publisher=Austin-American Statesman|access-date=June 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618002820/https://www.hookem.com/2018/05/21/after-being-named-the-big-12-top-player-for-this-past-week-will-kody-clemens-win-annual-award/|archive-date=June 18, 2018|url-status=dead}} On June 7, 2018, Clemens was named a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy.{{Cite news|url=https://247sports.com/college/texas/Article/Texas-Longhorns-Baseball-Kody-Clemens-a-finalist-for-Golden-Spikes-Dick-Howser-awards-118862848/|title=Kody Clemens a finalist for Golden Spikes, Dick Howser awards|access-date=June 17, 2018|language=en}}

The Detroit Tigers selected Clemens in the third round, with the 79th overall pick, in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. He received a $600,000 signing bonus{{cite web|url=http://dailytexanonline.com/2018/06/25/kody-clemens-forgoes-senior-season-signs-with-the-detroit-tigers |title=Kody Clemens forgoes senior season, signs with the Detroit Tigers | The Daily Texan |publisher=Dailytexanonline.com |date=June 25, 2018 |access-date=July 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626032238/https://dailytexanonline.com/2018/06/25/kody-clemens-forgoes-senior-season-signs-with-the-detroit-tigers|archive-date=June 26, 2018|url-status=dead}} and made his professional debut with the West Michigan Whitecaps of the Single–A Midwest League.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/whitecaps/index.ssf/2018/07/kody_clemens_looks_to_settle_i.html |title=Kody Clemens looks to settle in, not settle down with Whitecaps |publisher=MLive.com |date=July 1, 2018 |access-date=July 5, 2018}} He was promoted to the Lakeland Flying Tigers of the High–A Florida State League in August. In 52 total games between the two clubs, Clemens slashed .288/.365/.450 with five home runs and 20 RBI.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=665019#/career/R/hitting/2018/ALL|title=Kody Clemens Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=MiLB.com|access-date=December 27, 2018}} Clemens began 2019 with Lakeland,{{Cite web|url=https://www.blessyouboys.com/2019/3/26/18280950/detroit-tigers-prospects-roster-projections-lakeland-flying-tigers-casey-mize-brock-deatherage|title = Projecting Tigers minor league rosters: The 2019 Lakeland Flying Tigers|date = March 26, 2019}} before being promoted to the Double–A Erie SeaWolves at the end of the season. Over 128 games between both teams, he batted .231/.310/.397 with 12 home runs and 63 RBIs.

In July 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire minor league baseball season was canceled. Rather than sit idle, Clemens signed on to play for Team Texas of the Constellation Energy League, a makeshift four-team independent league. He was subsequently named MVP of his team.{{cite news |url=https://www.sugarlandskeeters.com/news/constellation-energy-league-team-mvps |title=Constellation Energy League Team MVPs |website=Sugar Land Skeeters |date=September 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921092008/https://www.sugarlandskeeters.com/news/constellation-energy-league-team-mvps |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |via=Wayback Machine}} Clemens spent the 2021 season with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, slashing .247/.312/.466 with 18 home runs and 59 RBI in 97 games. He was selected to the 40-man roster following the season on November 19, 2021, in order to be protected from the Rule 5 draft.{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/tigers-kody-clemens-joins-40-man-roster/ | title=Tigers' Kody Clemens: Joins 40-man roster | date=November 19, 2021 }} Clemens returned to Toledo for the start of the 2022 season.

On May 30, 2022, the Tigers promoted Clemens to the major leagues when Robbie Grossman was placed on the injured list.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/tigers-injuries-and-roster-moves |title=Injuries & Moves: Kody Clemens recalled; Grossman on IL |website=MLB.com |date=May 30, 2022 |accessdate=May 30, 2022}} On June 13, Clemens recorded his first major league hit, a single off of Lance Lynn of the Chicago White Sox. {{cite news |last1=Woodbery |first1=Evan |title=Watch Tigers rookie Kody Clemens get his first MLB hit |url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2022/06/watch-tigers-rookie-kody-clemens-get-his-first-mlb-hit.html |access-date=June 26, 2022 |publisher=MLive |date=June 13, 2022}} Two days later Clemens made his major league pitching debut in a game in which the Tigers were being blown out and used three position players to pitch after the game was out of reach, thus saving the bullpen. Clemens pitched one inning, soft tossing on orders of manager A. J. Hinch, and gave up one run.{{cite web | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/roger-clemens-son-kody-mlb-pitching-debut-005548016.html|title=Roger Clemens' son, who is not a pitcher, makes MLB pitching debut|date=June 16, 2022 }} On June 25, Clemens hit his first major league home run, a three-run, go-ahead shot off of Joe Mantiply of the Arizona Diamondbacks, helping the Tigers win the game by a 6 to 3 score.{{cite news |last1=Bordow |first1=Scott |title=Clemens' first career homer lifts Tigers over D-Backs 6-3 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/clemens-first-career-homer-lifts-tigers-over-d-backs-6-3/ |access-date=September 12, 2024|agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=June 26, 2022}} Clemens was optioned back down to Toledo on July 12,{{Cite web |last=Petzold |first=Evan |title=Detroit Tigers call back Akil Baddoo to big leagues: 'We need guys that are playing good' |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2022/07/12/detroit-tigers-akil-baddoo-called-up-toledo-triple-a-kody-clemens-demoted/10035523002/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}} but recalled nine days later.{{Cite web |last=Woodbery|first=Evan |title=Tigers promote 2 infielders to start 2nd half of season|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2022/07/tigers-promote-2-infielders-to-start-2nd-half-of-season.html|access-date=August 9, 2022 |website=mlive |date=July 21, 2022 |language=en-US}} On September 5, Clemens again pitched in a rout of the Tigers, and while once again soft tossing, recorded the first MLB strikeout of his brief pitching career, against the 2021 American League MVP Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels.{{cite web |title=Kody Clemens, son of MLB legend Roger Clemens, gets 1st strikeout vs. Ohtani |url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/MLB/2022/09/06/Kody-Clemens-strikes-out-Ohtani/3741662465088/ |website=upi.com |access-date=September 7, 2022}} On October 4, Clemens hit his first career grand slam off of Seattle Mariners starter Justus Sheffield.{{cite web | last=McCosky | first=Chris | title=Swept in Seattle, Tigers waste Kody Clemens' grand slam in nightcap | website=detroitnews.com | date=October 5, 2022 | url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2022/10/05/swept-in-seattle-tigers-waste-kody-clemens-grand-slam-in-nightcap/69540775007/ | access-date=September 16, 2024}}

On January 7, 2023, the Tigers traded Clemens and pitcher Gregory Soto to the Philadelphia Phillies for outfielder Matt Vierling, infielder Nick Maton, and catcher Donny Sands.{{cite web | last=Rogers | first=Anne | title=Tigers trade Gregory Soto to Phillies | website=MLB.com | date=January 7, 2023 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/tigers-trade-gregory-soto-to-phillies | access-date=September 16, 2024}} Clemens was optioned to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs to begin the 2023 season {{Cite web|title=Phillies' Kody Clemens: Bound for Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/phillies-kody-clemens-bound-for-triple-a|access-date=March 27, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} but was recalled on April 7.{{cite web | last=Seidman | first=Corey | title=Phillies call up Kody Clemens, start him at 1B right away | website=NBC Sports Philadelphia | date=April 7, 2023 | url=https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/mlb/philadelphia-phillies/phillies-call-up-kody-clemens-start-him-at-1b-right-away/272523/ | access-date=September 16, 2024}} On July 2, Clemens was sent back to the Triple-A, where he would remain for the rest of the season. In 47 games, he had hit .230 with four home runs and 13 RBI.{{Cite web|title=Phillies' Kody Clemens: Bound for minors|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/phillies-kody-clemens-bound-for-minors/|access-date=July 9, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=July 2, 2023 |language=en}}

File:Kody Clemens Toronto Blue Jays 11, Philadelphia Phillies (Split Squad) 7, TD Ballpark, Dunedin, Florida (54401718663) (cropped).jpg

Clemens was again optioned to Triple–A Lehigh Valley to begin the 2024 season.{{cite web | title=Phillies' Kody Clemens: Sent to minor-league camp | website=CBSSports.com | date=March 24, 2024 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/phillies-kody-clemens-sent-to-minor-league-camp/ | access-date=October 29, 2024}} After Bryce Harper was placed on paternity leave, Clemens was recalled from Lehigh Valley for 3 games.{{Cite web |last=Dougherty |first=Tom |date=April 22, 2024 |title=Philadelphia Phillies place Bryce Harper on paternity list, recall Kody Clemens - CBS Philadelphia |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/bryce-harper-paternity-baby-kody-clemens-philadelphia-phillies/ |access-date=April 23, 2024 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} On May 18, Clemens hit a game-tying homerun with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning with the Phillies down 3-2 vs. the Washington Nationals. The Phillies would go on to win the game, 4-3.{{cite web | last=Casella | first=Paul | title=Bryce Harper, Kody Clemens key Phillies' walk-off win vs. Nationals | website=MLB.com | date=May 19, 2024 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/bryce-harper-kody-clemens-key-phillies-walk-off-win-vs-nationals | access-date=September 16, 2024}}

Clemens made the Phillies' Opening Day roster for the 2025 season, beating out Buddy Kennedy for the spot originally meant to be taken by Weston Wilson before he was injured.{{Cite web |last=Dougherty |first=Tom |last2= |first2= |last3= |first3= |last4= |first4= |date=March 24, 2025 |title=Kody Clemens wins final bench spot on Phillies' opening day roster, Dave Dombrowski says - CBS Philadelphia |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/philadelphia-phillies-2025-opening-day-roster-kody-clemens/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Seidman |first=Corey |date=March 26, 2025 |title=Still one of MLB's best rosters, Phillies' World Series-or-bust season set to begin |url=https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/sports/mlb/philadelphia-phillies/phillies-world-series-or-bust/4143821/ |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=NBC10 Philadelphia |language=en-US}} In seven games for Philadelphia, he went 0-for-6 with a walk. Clemens was designated for assignment by the Phillies on April 23, 2025.{{cite news |title=Phillies cut Kody Clemens, say no MRI for Cristopher Sanchez |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/44818791/phillies-cut-kody-clemens-say-no-mri-cristopher-sanchez |access-date=April 25, 2025 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN.com |date=April 23, 2025}}

On April 26, 2025, The Phillies traded Clemens to the Minnesota Twins for cash considerations.https://phillysportsnetwork.com/2025/04/26/phillies-clemesn-trade/ He homered in his first career game at Fenway Park, the stadium his father called home for 13 seasons, on May 3, 2025. https://x.com/mlb/status/1918783495335272688?s=12 Clemens hit a walk-off double to help beat the Cleveland Guardians on May 19, 2025.https://x.com/MLBONFOX/status/1925270541520314380

Clemens is the son of former MLB pitcher Roger Clemens.{{cite news |url=https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/mud-hens/2021/05/04/Roger-Clemens-sees-bright-future-for-his-son-and-Mud-Hens-infielder-Kody/stories/20210504143 |title=Roger Clemens sees bright future for his son, Mud Hens infielder Kody Clemens |first=Amanda |last=Levine |website=toledoblade.com |date=May 4, 2021}} Clemens has three brothers: Koby, Kory, and Kacy. Koby also played baseball professionally. All four have names starting with the letter "K", which in baseball scorekeeping represents a strikeout.{{cite web |last1=Axisa |first1=Mike |title=Tigers promote Kody Clemens, Roger's youngest son, to MLB roster |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/tigers-promote-kody-clemens-rogers-youngest-son-to-mlb-roster/ |work=CBS Sports |access-date=May 30, 2022 |date=May 30, 2022}}

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