In recent weeks, Kody Clemens has been delivering for the Phillies in high-leverage situations. Clemens was called up when rosters expanded on September 1. This stretch has seen Clemens record a walk-off hit on September 9 against the Tampa Bay Rays. As mention by Paul Boye of “Phillies Therapy” Clemens has four of the nine hits with the highest win probability added for the Phillies in September. Clemens recorded a single, two doubles, and a home run between those four hits. The single was the walk-off hit against the Rays. Alec Bohm being on the injured list has increased Clemens playing time. Edmundo Sosa is also on the injured list as well. This has led to Clemens being the starting third baseman for the time being.
Overall Clemens is having the best season of his major league career. Clemens has a .235/.269/.469 line with four home runs and 17 RBI in 34 games. In addition, Clemens has a .264 BABIP with a .311 wOBA and a 99 wRC+ this season. Clemens has a career-high 6.6% barrel rate and a career-high 44.7% hard-hit ball rate this season. He is making contact with 82.2% of the pitches he has seen this season which is a career best. Clemens has a .266/.322/.489 line with 14 home runs and 50 RBI in 68 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season. In the minors, Clemens has a .295 BABIP with a .352 wOBA and a 105 wRC+ this season.
Role Player Delivering For The Phillies
High Leverage Success
Clemens has been the most successful in high-leverage situations this season. This season, he has a .974 OPS and a 171 wRC+ in high-leverage situations. Clemens leads the Phillies in both categories among players with at least 15 high-leverage plate appearances this season. He has a .462 BABIP and a .417 wOBA this season in high-leverage situations. Clemens has a 1.133 OPS and a 209 wRC+ in the ninth inning or later this season. Clemens has a 0.52 win probability added and a 0.44 clutch rating since September 1. Among qualified NL batters in that span, the win probability added ranks fourth, while the clutch rating ranks second.
Potential Postseason Role
One factor that will influence the chances of Clemens making the postseason roster is the health of Austin Hays. The Phillies are currently unsure of when Hays will return from the injured list. Hays is on the injured list due to a kidney infection. If Hays cannot return in time for the postseason, Clemens and Weston Wilson will be on the Phillies’ postseason roster if they are healthy. Hays coming back before the postseason means a decision will need to be made. One of Clemens or Wilson will likely be left off the postseason roster. However, it is possible that Hays ends up being the odd one out. Hays being an important trade deadline acquisition reduces the chances he would be left off the postseason roster if healthy.
The Postseason Roster Case For Clemens
Both Clemens and Wilson have compelling cases to be on the postseason roster. In that scenario, Clemens has a slight edge as a left-handed hitter. Hays and Brandon Marsh will probably platoon in left field with Johan Rojas starting in center field. Having both Hays and Wilson on the postseason roster with Clemens left off does not make much sense. Clemens has a .606 OPS and a 77 wRC+ as a pinch hitter this season. Wilson has a .273 OPS and a -34 wRC+ in pinch-hit situations this season. This is important because whoever is in that role will be used in late-game pinch-hit scenarios. Clemens has been delivering for the Phillies in those exact situations lately, which helps give him the upper hand.
Main Photo Credits: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
