3 up, 3 down: Clemens makes pro debut in Tigers' chain

7/7/2018
BY BRIAN BUCKEY
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Three up

Kody Clemens, the son of Roger Clemens, was a third-round draft pick of the Tigers in the June amateur draft after completing his career at the University of Texas.
Kody Clemens, the son of Roger Clemens, was a third-round draft pick of the Tigers in the June amateur draft after completing his career at the University of Texas.

A look at three former Mud Hens of note

Charlotte Knights’ right-handed pitcher Donny Roach turned in a fantastic month of June and was rewarded as the International League Player of the Month. Roach, who started five games with the Mud Hens in 2016, made five starts in June and finished the month 5-0 with a 0.98 ERA.

Catcher Bobby Wilson has appeared in 28 games this season for the Minnesota Twins through Friday. He has struggled at the plate, hitting just .114 in his 79 at-bats. He is worse against lefties this season with an average of .071. He does not have a hit in his past six games.

William Cuevas made a relief appearance for the Boston Red Sox against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday after being called up from Pawtucket. The right-hander pitched two innings, allowing two hits and one earned run. After his appearance he was sent back down to Triple-A. At Pawtucket, he is 5-5 in his 15 starts with a 3.65 ERA.

Three down

A look down to the lower levels of the Tigers’ farm system

Cam Gibson recently was called up to Double-A Erie and was productive in his first seven games with the SeaWolves through Friday, notching three multi-hit games and going 9 for 24 (.375) overall. The son of Tigers legend Kirk Gibson, he had two home runs and six RBIs in that stretch. 

While his record might not reflect it, Spenser Watkins had himself a good month of June with High Single-A Lakeland. Watkins was 1-2 in his four starts, but his ERA was 2.08 for the month. He pitched two complete games and had a shutout in 26 innings pitched. He walked just three batters and struck out 24.

Although Kody Clemens has struggled a bit adjusting to pro ball, the University of Texas product broke out July 4 with a two-homer game. Clemens, the Tigers’ third-round selection in this year’s draft, hit .222 in his first seven games at Low Single-A West Michigan but showed he has plenty of power potential.

Contact Brian Buckey at: bbuckey@theblade.com419-724-6110, or on Twitter @BrianBuckey.