Your Future Rotation: Part Three

One of J.P Ricciardi's low risk signings this year, Matt Clement, a former quality starter of the early and mid part of the decade. In 2005, he was one of the most highly sought after starters in the off season, which the Jays had been in on before Boston trumped all other offers. After missing all of 2007 due to extensive shoulder surgery (the surgeon reported that the muscle looked like 'a blown rubber tire'), Clement spent 2008 in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, posting a 3-0 record and 5.23 ERA in 16 games at three different minor-league levels.

The common wisdom around the league is that Clement is done, his career basically over from a shoulder injury that simply could not be recovered from. That is very possible. However, Clement is another of Brad Arnsberg's orphans, and much like Burnett, Arnsberg believes that with the right retooling of his mechanics, Clement presents a possible fit for the Jays rotation.

Clement had a sinking fastball in the low 90s and high 80s slider, along with a four-seamer and a decent sinking changeup. In 2008, his fastball stayed right around 90, and his slider had lost a little speed, touching the mid-80s at times. More than anything else, Clement's control has been an issue. His BB/K ratio has always been around 1:2, and without a quality breaking ball as an out pitch, he'll only be successful if he's able to locate the ball well and use his slider to break the batter's rhythm at the plate.

Discounting 2007, Clement has averaged 190IP each year since his rookie season, and while it's doubtful his shoulder is up for that kind of load, it does show that he's got experience pitching deep into ballgames, an advantage not shared by a number of the Jays other pitching prospect. Unless his shoulder has well and truly gone too far to recover, Clement can likely be considered a top rotation contender if he posts decent numbers in spring, due to his experience and former effectiveness.

I personally think any starter job should be contingent on him losing the douchebag chin beard.