Kody Clemens: A Good Player in the Wrong Role?

[Adam Friedman]

Image courtesy of © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

After his breakout 2025 season, Kody Clemens appears to be the Twins’ presumptive starting first baseman in 2026. While there's good reason to believe he can continue to produce, the team would be better off if he were pushed into a utility role.

Clemens had a lackluster career before the Phillies traded him to the Twins for cash in April. He had a high strikeout rate and a low walk rate, without the requisite power to make up for them. To make matters worse, he was 29 years old, so there wasn't much reason to expect a turnaround. Yet, the son of one of the game's greatest pitchers became a bright spot in an ugly season for Minnesota.

Why Clemens Can Continue to Rake
Clemens improved his walk rate a bit, but the main change that drove his improvement was a 2-mph increase in bat speed, which took him from below-average to average. Swinging harder led to upticks in his Barrel rate, hard-hit rate, and other batted-ball quality metrics.

These metrics show that his production was not a fluke, and there's a chance he can replicate it. Notably, his .331 xwOBA was above-average, outpacing his actual results, suggesting some positive regression to come.

It's easy to understand why Clemens is a big part of the Twins' vision for 2026. Beyond the offense, he was also an excellent defender at first base—and has been throughout his career, making it even more sensible for him to take over the position. In the best-case scenario for the team, though, he would occupy a smaller role.

Red Flags in the Second Half
While Clemens had the best year of his career in 2025, there were some negatives in it. For one, while the metrics suggest his performance is sustainable, he dropped off in the second half. It's possible that the chaotic trade deadline impacted him. He was atrocious in August, right after the deadline, indicating that that theory may have some merit.

Beyond the raw numbers falling, he also saw his hard-hit rate dip in the second half, which is a real cause for concern. In addition to his poor second half, Clemens is also a player with as steep a dropoff against same-sided pitching as you'll see. Put simply, he cannot hit lefties at all.

This limitation will force Derek Shelton to pinch-hit for him early in games, leading to whoever his platoon partner is at first being burned early and having to face a nasty righty later in the game. Given his second-half struggles and inability to hit left-handed pitchers, planning on Clemens at first base should not be the plan.

The Right Role for Clemens
As you'd imagine, a 29-year-old journeyman whom the Twins got in exchange for cash has limitations. But that doesn't mean he can't be a helpful player as they try to improve on their mess of a 2025.

Clemens can hit righties for power, and his batted-ball data indicates that will continue. He can also defend at an average or better level at first, in the corner outfield spots, and at second base. The Twins should put him in a position to succeed by making the necessary roster moves to have him serve as a utility man. That means adding a first baseman, whether through free agency or trade.

Doing so will allow Clemens to thrive and take pressure off him to keep hitting in 2026. The new first baseman would slot into the middle of the lineup, and Clemens could move to the bottom third. Beyond that, should Clemens continue to hit, he can slot in at second or left field, should Alan Roden or Luke Keaschall struggle.

As we've seen with Willi Castro, a utility man who can hit is very valuable for a team. Their presence maximizes everybody else’s impact. That's the role that Clemens should be in, rather than being one of the league's worst-hitting first basemen. 

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Would you like to see Kody Clemens as a first baseman, utility man, or something else for Minnesota in 2026?

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[Blyleven2011]

I like his defense at the 3 positions  , better than average  ...

Yes the long haul of the season does wear down players and his hitting dropped off , if he conditions himself better this off season that could help him but as of now he should be a utility player and not a full time 1st  baseman  ...

He was a pleasant surprise after he was acquired , he won some games for us ...

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Good article. I agree with it.

[Danchat]

He should be the utility man, not the everyday 1B like he will start the season as.

[Rosterman]

Right now, the Twins need three bench players. One capable of playing first base, another a backup at shortstop, and another than can play centerfield. They have all on the roster right now, although two are also slotted as starters (Lee and Clemens). 

[old nurse]

Never too early to think the lineup is set

[Woof Bronzer]

One of the most curious aspects of current Twins fandom is the continual effort to pretend Kody Clemens is a good player.  

 

[jmlease1]

2 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

One of the most curious aspects of current Twins fandom is the continual effort to pretend Kody Clemens is a good player.  

 

Seriously. He's...ok. He should be a bench player at best on a good team. He had a blazing hot month and it was very fun, but that doesn't mean he's good. He can fill multiple roles, and is a good clubhouse guy, and when he gets on a hot streak can do some things with the bat, but when it's going bad for him he's absolutely dreadful at the plate.

As a 26th man, setting the floor for the team on what's acceptable for a roster spot? Sure. But he hasn't shown he's starting quality. As a bench bat who can give quality defense at a few positions he's got some value, especially since he's a home run threat. As a starting 1B he's going to have to take another significant step forward...at 30. After having probably the best season of his career and getting about as many PA's in MLB as the rest of his career combined.

[mluebker]

3 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

He should be a bench player at best on a good team.

Which, for better or worse, makes him the starting first baseman on the Pohlad’s and Falvey’s Twins. 

[tony&rodney]

I didn't include Kody Clemens on the first half dozen iterations of a 2026 roster. Then I felt like i was missing out on something from all of the positive comments about Clemens, so i added him back.

[Mahoning]

He seemed to have fun at the State Fair. He's got personality.

[DocBauer]

Had his best ML season at 29yo to be a slightly below average player.

He helps as a LH power threat off the bench who can play 4 spots, or 5 if the Twins begin working him at 3B again, at least for emergency purposes. But he should never, ever be discussed as a starting player. Period. End of story. 

When does Falvey finally realize 1B is an important spot to ADD to your lineup, and not a throw away spot?

[bean5302]

Kody Clemens owned a xwOBA of .330 last year, which corresponds with a wRC+ in that 110-115 range, mostly.

1B = 1.5-2.0 WAR
LF = 2.0-2.5 WAR
2B = 2.5-3.0 WAR

I think that's probably his ceiling. Adequate at 1B, solid at LF, plus 2B if his defense is solid at any of those positions. I think the Twins are going to be giving the keys to 2B to Keaschall and the logjam at LF probably means Clemens is a bigger lock for 1B and the dearth of guys we have there.

His floor is obviously much lower, depending on how pitchers adjust to his successes, and how Clemens plays defensively. There really isn't enough history on him, and his age makes him harder to project and rely upon.

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

Is the 2025 version of Clemens an ideal starting 1B? Probably not. As we saw last season, he'll win us some games, but I dont think he'll lose us games. Im fine with Clemens being the starting 1B at this time, simply because I believe there are other spots on the roster that need far more attention. There hasn't been any indication of payroll numbers but I can only assume it wont be a lot. Fixing the bullpen is a necessity. After that, upgrade SS and 1B. Clemens and Lee as utility 

[Trov]

Why do we look at a couple of weeks out outlining performance and say hey this is who this guy is going forward? I have nothing against Clemons, but he is 29, had a career year that was mostly built from a few hot weeks. He was still below average for a full season, but we are acting like he should just be planned to get 500 at bats plus next year, either at 1st or somewhere else. 

I am not saying his defense could not be helpful, but can we just say that at 29 his couple of hot weeks in the season were just that, SSS hot streaks and accept he is who he is, an okay defender that is not a good hitter but can get hot? 

[Rhyno006]

Good lord I admit to not paying much attention as the season fizzled away, but I didn't realize that at this point we're going to pencil him in as a starting 1B???

I like him overall, he seems like a Nick Punto-molded kind of guy but would absolutely prefer him in a utility role given his age and lack of sustained history at this point. I believe that's likely more on the Twins as an organization putting him there than on him though. 

[hitterscount]

On 12/8/2025 at 9:14 AM, Woof Bronzer said:

One of the most curious aspects of current Twins fandom is the continual effort to pretend Kody Clemens is a good player.  

 

Is a breakout year for a guy that is a career .200 hitter that hits .213 in his last season who will be 30 in May a true breakout year. To have him even in consideration as the starting first baseman is a joke. Does he value as a utility guy... absolutely.... but as you note this idea that he is really good is a head scratcher.... maybe on the Twins he is?

[USAFChief]

On 12/8/2025 at 8:24 AM, jmlease1 said:

Seriously. He's...ok. He should be a bench player at best on a good team. 

He wouldn't be a bench player on a good team. That's why the Twins were able to get him for nothing.

[USAFChief]

 

From the OP:

"Why Clemens Can Continue to Rake"

Continue to rake??