Kody Clemens Is Re-Writing His Story in 2024

Captain America, Iron Man, and Kody Clemens?

While they might not be the Avengers, the Phillies are playing like the world’s best. And this season, a new hero has emerged as Kody Clemens. As a player fighting for his spot in the Major Leagues, you cannot deny that Clemens is giving it his all.

Flashback to 2023

Heading into the 2023 season, the Phillies made a deal with the Detroit Tigers for Gregory Soto and Kody Clemens. In return, they traded away fan favorites Matt Vierling and Nick Maton to complete the deal.

At the time of the trade, many felt as though the deal was centered around Gregory Soto, the hard-throwing left-handed closer for the Tigers. Fresh off a trip to the World Series, the Phillies were looking to add to their already strong bullpen. It was marked by many as the “Gregory Soto” trade.

While Soto has been solid for the Phillies in his tenure, the other player, Kody Clemens, might be reshaping his history. Clemens was looked at as a throw-in at the time of the deal, and now you could argue he was the more important player in the deal.

At the start of 2023, Clemens started the season in Triple-A Lehigh Valley. After injuries to Rhys Hoskins and Darick Hall, he was called up to the Majors and given an opportunity to play. While his numbers might not pop off the charts, his hitting always seemed to be timely.

Once Bryce Harper returned to play first base, Kody was sent back to the Iron Pigs. He finished the season in Triple-A, where he smashed 18 home runs, 52 runs batted in, and held an OPS of .937 across his 62 games.

Clemens wants nothing more than to be in the Major Leagues, and he has certainly proven he can play at this level. While the Phillies’ active roster is tough to crack, he knows his role.

While Trea Turner continues to get closer to playing once more, it appears as if Clemens’s time on the roster may be limited. While the Phillies have alternative players they can remove from the roster, Clemens is the only one with minor-league options. Chances are, he will get sent back to Triple-A.

As the Phillies continue to win, knowing the depth they hold in the minor leagues is reassuring. If the club needs a player to be called up in a pinch, Kody Clemens has proven to be that guy. Watching him play the remainder of Turner’s IL time should be looked at with the understanding he has filled his role and gone beyond expectations.