Kody Clemens's Only Shortcomings Have Really Been Other People's

[Matthew Trueblood]

Image courtesy of Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Much has been asked of Kody Clemens this season, and he's answered the call as well and as often as he could. When it became clear that the team would not trust Josh Bell or Victor Caratini with regular playing time at first base, Clemens played there for a while, even though it might be his worst defensive position. When injuries and poor performances piled up in the outfield, Clemens trotted out there, even covering center field for a short time—despite being 30 years old and lacking the raw athleticism that position demands in the modern game. He's faced more left-handed pitchers than he should, because the roster lacks good right-handed lefty-mashers. He's batted third more often than he should, because the roster has lacked offensive firepower whenever Byron Buxton and/or Ryan Jeffers were at less than their best.

Through it all, Clemens has had not only the best season of his career, but a downright good one—the kind of campaign that seemed like it would never come for the late-blooming son of an early-blooming Hall of Fame hurler. He's gone from forgettable utility man to valuable super-utility man, and while he was asked to be too many things to the 2026 Twins, he delivered more than could possibly have been expected. After homering in consecutive games upon his latest return to Detroit (his first pro organization), he has 26 of those on the season, and he leads the American League with six triples. The only way to be disappointed in his .241/.302/.475 batting line is to dwell way too much on the middle number.

On a properly outfitted contending team, Clemens would bat fifth or sixth on most days, and he would enjoy the platoon advantage at least 80% of the time. Twenty-five lefty batters with at least 300 plate appearances already this year have faced righty hurlers at least that often; over half of that group have had the platoon edge 85% of the time or more. Clemens hangs in better against left-handed pitchers than most lefty batters do, and his numbers wouldn't be massively inflated by seeing righties at a much higher rate, but he's only had the platoon advantage 73.6% of the time this year. He's also batted third a plurality of the time, and in over half the Twins' games this year (75), he's started in one of the top four spots in the batting order.

Let Clemens rack up 137 plate appearances against southpaws, and his numbers are going to look unsexy. Ask him to hit in one of the most important spots in the lineup, and he's going to feel underwhelming. The Twins have asked more of him than should be asked of this type of player. Next season, they need to have a more robust set of right-handed hitters, and they need a more stable, impressive top half of the batting order. None of that is Clemens's problem, though. He's performed magnificently—more than well enough to get this team to October, if the rest of the roster (or the front office responsible for building it) had done its job.

When Clemens succeeds, there seems to be a sense that disaster is right around the corner. When he fails, everyone seems to nod with self-satisfaction. He's been branded streaky; he's been branded lucky; and he's been branded as an undisciplined hitter. None of that is particularly accurate, though.

Here's a look at Clemens's rolling weighted on-base average (wOBA) in 100-plate appearance increments for the whole season.

I'm betting you expected more than one trough, where he was substantially worse than a league-average hitter. That's the narrative. The reality is that, despite that oddly lefty-heavy stretch of the schedule early and the cold start it begot him, Clemens has been steadily and solidly above-average, save for one prolonged slump. That slump could not have come at a worse time—it comprised almost the whole month of August. But it's just one letdown. To whatever extent Clemens must bear the blame for letting the team collapse during their nightmare month, he deserves at least that much credit for keeping them afloat in June and July. Lately, he's right back where he was for most of the season, and while you'd love to see a player go through a whole campaign without slumping, hardly anyone does so. Bell was just as bad for just as long early in the season. Buxton's production fell off a cliff after he began dealing with injuries in late June. Jeffers wasn't the same for the first month-plus after his return from the IL. You can look at players beyond the Twins, and the same story unfolds: slumps are inevitable. Good players survive them and produce well around them. That's what Clemens has done.

As for his approach, it's true that Clemens doesn't walk very often, and that's a bit unfortunate, because his batted-ball profile will never yield a very high batting average on balls in play. He's an extreme pull hitter, especially on the ground; that makes it easy to defend him by shading the infield to the right. He's a fairly extreme fly-ball hitter, and fly balls fall in for hits less often than grounders sneak through for them. Clemens's batted balls spray around the field somewhat like Max Kepler's did for years at Target Field; we know how that worked out for Kepler.

Therefore, it's essential that Clemens be ready to pounce, and to drive the first good pitch he gets in a count. He's done much better at that this year; it's his big step forward. He got beaten by four-seam fastballs consistently in 2025. Here's what his spray chart against them looked like:

If you're a true pull hitter, every fly ball to center and the opposite way is a small defeat. Pitchers were beating Clemens last season with the heater. He didn't whiff at a catastrophic rate against them; he just didn't get the barrel around and through them.

That's changed.

According to FanGraphs, Clemens has been 8.0 runs better at the plate this year than he was in 2025. According to Baseball Savant, he's been 20 runs better on four-seamers than he was last year. You do the math. Clemens has sold out for the heater a bit, because you can't get very far in the modern game without getting your barrel cleanly to the ball even when the pitcher comes at you with their best heater. It's cost him a bit in other places, but look at all the rewards he's reaped. He hit four homers against four-seamers last season, including one that snuck out to left-center. He's hit a whopping 13 dingers against such pitches in 2026, because he's sat on that pitch with greater conviction and gotten started early enough to do so. 

That's what he did on the one homer in the bunch that went to left field, too—the one he hit Wednesday. He knew Keider Montero would throw him a first-pitch heater, and he rode it out, albeit not in the direction in which he usually does that kind of damage.

To do that, you have to have conviction based not only on the pitch type, but on the count. That's been key to Clemens's breakout, but it's also why his on-base percentage is never likely to be that high. He swung at fewer than 20% of the first pitches he saw during his stints in the big leagues in 2023 and 2024. That figure rose to almost 30% last year, but it's ticked up again in 2026. In particular, after being more patient early, he's gotten particularly assertive—though he's moderated that slightly of late. Here are his month-by-month first-pitch swing rates for this year.

• March/April: 24.4%
• May: 38.6%
• June: 32.4%
• July: 37.4%
• August: 33.3%
• September: 28.9%

Clemens does have a decent feel for the zone, but his swing is not especially adaptable. He has good hand-eye coordination, but not the freakish, bendable violence of movement that allows hitters to hammer pitches even when they're fooled isn't there. Swinging early in counts is the cure for that. Pitchers tend to be more predictable in those early counts, and Clemens can swing without worrying as much about a whiff. That produces more squared-up balls and fewer mishits. It just denies him the chance to get ahead in counts often and work walks.

At home at second base, Clemens has a clear defensive fit for next season. He's also proved he can hit in the big leagues—not hit enough to stay in the bigs, but really hit in the bigs, in a way that moves a team forward toward a playoff berth. He needs a bit more rest and protection from bad matchups, and he needs better teammates. There's a ceiling here; Clemens will never be an All-Star. This season has been a monumental success for him, though, and the Twins should enter the offseason with as much conviction as Clemens now takes to the batter's box: to get him further down the lineup, but not to push him out of it.

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[nclahammer]

Team MVP IMO

[MeleMouth]

Clemens adjusts to address his deficiencies, does whatever the team asks, and just runs around the bases after hitting a home run instead of making ten different gestures and whoops: which more talented player does that NOT sound like?

[Linus]

He’s really valuable in that he is the only guy they have that can play multiple position’s competently. I think that is his best role on a good team but if the Twins are just bringing back the same group then he can have second base. 

[Linus]

Good article by the way. 

[DJL44]

Dude is a ball player. He gets the most out of his athletic ability.

[Nashvilletwin]

Starting 2B until Houston arrives. Then he’s starting 1B against RHs and super utility/late inning matchup or defensive substitute.

He is 100% a ball player. Good influence on the younger guys, particularly Lee, as well.  Keeper.

[MikeNC]

Very good glove and pivot at 2B and .240 with 30 HRs, that's solid MLB production from a 2B.  Or move to 1B if Lewis continues to underperform.  Gotta keep Kreidler as very good D backup who at least has some competence at the plate (RE: See All of Fedko ABs, Most of Outman's=painful to watch).  Move Keash to LF where his below-average arm has shorter throws, move now-the-stats-prove-his-dimnished-range Buxton to RF.  CF is up for grabs, hopefully Jenkins hitting will come around, the skinny has it that Gonzo not D good enough, maybe ERod a shot?  The Lee man is a key man a 3B.  Peppa at SS.  Caratini is under contract for 2027, but it sure would be nice to upgrade that bat.  Jackson has a +arm, 29% throw out rate (vs 12% and 13% for Jeffers and Caratini).  But until this year's small sample he's been dreadful vs MLB pitching so likely not the answer.  Gomez is 22 for 22 as a closer.  $22mm Lopez will be back, as will Ryan.  There are about 10 legit starting candidates, some will wind up improving the bullpen.  I am very optimistic about the 2027 team.  I think there's a chance!

[bean5302]

Clemens is a solid utility player or a worthwhile starter at 2B. He's been a pleasant surprise. I wouldn't necessarily say he's a player the Twins should build around, but he's earned a roster spot and a lot of playing time.

[Jkeady12]

ISomeone has to explain to me how anyone could complain about Cody Clemens? To say he over performed is a massive understatement.  Coody is the toy you bought your kid at a garage sale for .50 cents and turns out to be your kids favorite toy. 

[Woof Bronzer]

2 minutes ago, Jkeady12 said:

ISomeone has to explain to me how anyone could complain about Cody Clemens? 

It's less complaining about Kody, more that if you have guys like him batting 3rd in your lineup you are not a serious team.  

This is the problem with the Twins roster.  There are a lot of 2 WAR guys in the starting lineup, and no 4-5 WAR guys .  If the Twins really want to improve they have to replace some of the 2 WAR guys with 4-5 WAR guys.  But a lot of fans like some of the 2 WAR guys, and some of them (like Clemens) are very likable with good stories.  So again it's not complaining, it's more about why you follow the team.  Do you like feel-good stories, connecting with the players, etc?  Or do you want to win a World Series?  If it's the former, Clemens has been fun this year and you can't help but feel happy for him.  If it's latter Kody Clemens can't be an every day starter batting 3rd.  

[Twins GFP]

I am waiting for the hater comments...

Clemens appears to be another reclamation project win for the Twins. They seem to have improved on his strengths and lessened the impact of his weaknesses. He is not an all-star, but for someone that can play adequate defense at multiple positions, there should be no question of his value and roster spot at this point.

Now if the Twins can just coax his dad out of retirement...

[bean5302]

21 minutes ago, Jkeady12 said:

ISomeone has to explain to me how anyone could complain about Cody Clemens? To say he over performed is a massive understatement.  Coody is the toy you bought your kid at a garage sale for .50 cents and turns out to be your kids favorite toy. 

Such a big fan you don't even know how to spell his name LOL

[Blyleven2011]

Kody has had a good season and has produced at offense and defense ,,,

offense he has 26 homers and 74 rbis , the team has 3 players that have produced in rbis  ( Clemens , bell and Lee ) , it’s been some years since we have had several players together over the 70 rbi threshold , just think , if the hitters could just hit singles and doubles and get on base in front of the homeruns we could have a 100 rbi man , Bell has a slim chance , but will probably stall in the nineties …

Kody is a serviceable ball player anywhere on defense and should be the twins MVP , he’s had a good season and would welcome him back for 2027 season …

is Kody having a career year , let’s hope not and he continues to be a late bloomer with the opportunity the twins have given him   …

[MapleGroveTwinsFan]

29 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

It's less complaining about Kody, more that if you have guys like him batting 3rd in your lineup you are not a serious team.  

This is the problem with the Twins roster.  There are a lot of 2 WAR guys in the starting lineup, and no 4-5 WAR guys .  If the Twins really want to improve they have to replace some of the 2 WAR guys with 4-5 WAR guys.  But a lot of fans like some of the 2 WAR guys, and some of them (like Clemens) are very likable with good stories.  So again it's not complaining, it's more about why you follow the team.  Do you like feel-good stories, connecting with the players, etc?  Or do you want to win a World Series?  If it's the former, Clemens has been fun this year and you can't help but feel happy for him.  If it's latter Kody Clemens can't be an every day starter batting 3rd.  

100% agree, the complaint isn't about Clemens, it is that he is the best Twins full time player and has a .300 OBP. IMO very similar to the Love for Castro, justified for the player not so much for the Twins.

[ToddlerHarmon]

"The problem with Clemens" has really now become "the problem with Lewis." We can afford one fair bat/fair glove starter in the infield, but two? Or, while Lee develops, three?

I would love to see Houston up soon to put him, Culpepper and Lee in the prime defensive spots. Even with that, there's room for a big free agent bat in a corner infield spot.

We were worried about Royce accepting being moved to first. I wonder how he feels about being the right-handed bench bat?

[LastOnePicked]

3 hours ago, nclahammer said:

Team MVP IMO

Actually, I think he is. And this was a great article. But this team desperately needs to turn the page from having the likes of Willi Castro and Kody Clemens as the team MVP.

On a competitive team, the team MVP should actually be getting league MVP votes.

[Road trip]

I was wrong about Kody Clemens.  I figured him for another mediocre, not gonna hit enough, no upside, waiver wire pickup.  Throw in a little "nepo baby" on top (I couldn't stand his dad, while acknowledging Roger's talent).   However, Kody has exceeded expectations.  He's earned his spot.  His role is a bit undefined, but he will be an adequate or better bat, and can field multiple spots.  You don't build around him, but he should remain part of the Twins plans for the next couple of years

[S Bart]

1 hour ago, Twins GFP said:

I am waiting for the hater comments...

Clemens appears to be another reclamation project win for the Twins. They seem to have improved on his strengths and lessened the impact of his weaknesses. He is not an all-star, but for someone that can play adequate defense at multiple positions, there should be no question of his value and roster spot at this point.

Now if the Twins can just coax his dad out of retirement...

   let's do it

[S Bart]

11 minutes ago, LastOnePicked said:

Actually, I think he is. And this was a great article. But this team desperately needs to turn the page from having the likes of Willi Castro and Kody Clemens as the team MVP.

On a competitive team, the team MVP should actually be getting league MVP votes.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

3 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Dude is a ball player. He gets the most out of his athletic ability.

Exactly.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

1 hour ago, Road trip said:

I was wrong about Kody Clemens.  I figured him for another mediocre, not gonna hit enough, no upside, waiver wire pickup.  Throw in a little "nepo baby" on top (I couldn't stand his dad, while acknowledging Roger's talent).   However, Kody has exceeded expectations.  He's earned his spot.  His role is a bit undefined, but he will be an adequate or better bat, and can field multiple spots.  You don't build around him, but he should remain part of the Twins plans for the next couple of years

Great post Road.

[jmlease1]

Clemens has had a fine season and earned his roster spot and frequent presence in the starting lineup. He'd look a little better if the team could protect him against LHP, but he's survived much better this season than I would have projected. He's a solid enough defender at 2B, and while we haven't seen him at 3B with the Twins, it feels like he could back up there without any real trouble. Does just fine in the outfield corners...clearly stretched in CF (but I appreciate his willingness). Weirdly poor at some things at 1B? He fields the position well enough in handling grounders and pop-ups but in terms of helping out his infield as a receiver it's not great. But we've had far worse guys there and I'd be ok with him providing depth there.

He's the clear starter at 2B unless the Twins go out and find a significant upgrade (which seems unlikely). I'm not sure how much more upside there is (finding a way to draw some more walks would be nice) but if he's sitting somewhere 5th-7th in your lineup, that'll work nicely.

I mean he was really good at the plate May through July.

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

Clemens has been great this season. From any perspective. He was a small DFA trade last year. Didn't have a history of success. Now, IMO, hes been team MVP this year. Leads the team in HRs. Apparently leads the AL in Triples. Plays good to great defense anywhere you put him. He has been a great teammate and role model for the younger players. 

He has 100% earned a spot on the team. Heck I'd go so far to say hes earned the chance to be a starter at 2B, but hes been incredibly valuable as a super utility and the team doesnt have anyone close that could replace him in that role. 

[Andy MacPhail]

Cody Clemens, because of his father's name, has been given every opportunity with many teams & failed until he came to MN. Because of shortcomings from other players, MN's low defensive bar & the big selloff, Clemens was given extra opportunities & he came through. Not that he was great offensively, but he came through many times when needed.

IMO, a super utility, is a player who can play many positions well, especially up the middle. So, it irks me when someone labels a player who a team wants to plug him into different positions in order to have his bat in the lineup as a super utility. Clemens is not a super utility player. For years, MN have hurt themselves by thinking they can hide defensively weak players at 2B while trying to sell them as good. If they can field balls that are hit at them, they're fine.  A good 2Bman has a good glove, range & can turn a slick DP. Cody is maybe a little bit better than Keaschal at 2B, a passable LFer & 1Bman but he's no CFer or 2Bman.

Cody Clemens is still an asset for the Twins.

 

 

[TheLeviathan]

Clemens has been wonderful value.  One thing to point out though is that he does have a shortcoming that is solely his responsibility:

He's not a good defender.  Playing him at 2B is probably a net win overall for the team if he hits like he has been, but any dip at the plate and the negatives in the field will take over that value.

[Coach Wheels]

6 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Starting 2B until Houston arrives. Then he’s starting 1B against RHs and super utility/late inning matchup or defensive substitute.

He is 100% a ball player. Good influence on the younger guys, particularly Lee, as well.  Keeper.

He has definitely earned a contract for next year and maybe a raise. This is most likely his ceiling as an offensive player but I'll take 3 more years just like it if possible.

[Otaknam]

Blah, blah, blah! I don’t care how much in the statistical weeds we get, Clements is clearly the Twins’ MVP! He has had big hit after big hit for most of the season, while competently playing first, second, and outfield. I wonder how they will deal with him contractually this offseason. He deserves a multi year contract to reward his success and versatility. 

[bjorks]

49 minutes ago, Otaknam said:

Blah, blah, blah! I don’t care how much in the statistical weeds we get, Clements is clearly the Twins’ MVP! He has had big hit after big hit for most of the season, while competently playing first, second, and outfield. I wonder how they will deal with him contractually this offseason. He deserves a multi year contract to reward his success and versatility. 

I think from his side he'd want to get his Arb years bought out, meaning a short extension and willing to settle for a little less AAV. Moderate amount of risk on both sides. He could probably get $4 - $5'ish in Arb, but then he's not a FA until 2030. He's not going to be high in demand as a first time FA at age 34 season. This is assuming little changes in the CBA with Arb, but that's not going to happen. This is Clemens chance to cash in and he's obviously going to wait it out, but not sure a 3/$15 makes a ton of sense, but I'd hate to see him leave. 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Otaknam said:

Blah, blah, blah! I don’t care how much in the statistical weeds we get, Clements is clearly the Twins’ MVP! He has had big hit after big hit for most of the season, while competently playing first, second, and outfield. I wonder how they will deal with him contractually this offseason. He deserves a multi year contract to reward his success and versatility. 

The Twins already control him for 3 more seasons.