The shadow of Roger Clemens continues on the baseball diamond as the Detroit Tigers have promoted Kody Clemens to the major league roster. Kody is Clemens’ youngest of his four sons and the third to have played professional baseball. Kody is the only one to have reached the major leagues, however. The 26-year-old was a third-round pick in 2018 out of the University of Texas and was playing with the Tiger’s triple-A affiliate in Toledo. The utility man had been batting .283 with a .316 OBP and a .527 SLG in Triple-A this season. He had amassed nine doubles, six triples and eight homers in 45 Triple-A games this season.
Clemens was ranked as the number 17th best prospect in Detroit’s system. Clemens was brought onto the roster to replace the injured Robbie Grossman, who sustained a neck sprain during Sunday’s matchup with the Cleveland Guardians. Clemens plans to wear number 21, the same number his father wore for the first 15 years of his legendary career. Clemens knows the pressure is immense due to his father’s accomplishments but shared with reporters his relief due to the difference in their positions. “Obviously, I’m trying to create my own career path here, but to wear his number is awesome,” Clemens said. “Luckily, we always say that I’m glad I’m a hitter, not a pitcher, so I don’t have to live up to what he did. Half a career as his is unbelievable.”
Meanwhile, the baseball legend himself was present for his son’s major league debut on Tuesday night. “I’m just really happy for him; he’s worked really hard to get here, and it has finally happened for him,” said the 59-year-old. “We got everyone into scramble mode yesterday to get up here.”
The Tigers are in need of offensive help this season as they hold a record of 17-29 and have a league 138 runs.
