Koby Clemens Might Make It To The Show Afterall . . .

He’s kind of lived in obscurity for a while now.  Since being drafted in 2005 by the Houston Astros, Koby has certainly had his ups <link> and downs <link>.  In the four previous seasons leading up to this year he has been an average hitter in the minors.  After spending 2008 in high A Salem, the Astros decided to try him out in the hitter friendly California League.  No one could have perdicted what happened next.

He had himself a career year in the minors and is being considered for comeback player of the year.  In 2009 for the Lancaster JetHawks he hit 0.345/22/121 blowing away every previous high he has ever had.  We always knew the power would come but it really was all of a sudden.  By the end of the season Koby was shipped off to AA Corpus Christi where he will likely open up 2010.  He is only 22 years old so it’s not too late for him, but if he has the kind of season he had this year, you can look for a AAA promotion and possibly a trip to Houston

The Astros had him change positions last year from 3B to C.  This season he played mostly catcher and improved on his defensive numbers from last year.  He needs to trim down the passed balls and increase his pick off  totals to really make that jump to the pros.  I think with a little seasoning he can do it.  The Astros who recently fired their manager Cecil Cooper are going no where fast, they need some impact youth to get this team back on track.  Clemens might be in line to help this squad out.

He’s got plenty of cards, his first pro card was 2006 Bowman.  A quick scan of eBay will show you many autographed cards, most hovering around the $3 – $8 window.  At this point it’s more of a wait and see for me, if he comes out of the gates swinging next season, I would hop on that train.  I personally like his autographed Topps Sterling card myself.  That one can be had for about $10.