Kody Clemens Can Hold Down First Base

[Cody Pirkl]

It’s easy to set a target on first base as a prime position at which the Twins might upgrade this winter. Royce Lewis was poor there down the stretch. It’s worth a reminder, though, that Kody Clemens spent a good chunk of the season there with much better results. The Twins can certainly explore their options in the first-base market, but if they choose not to invest heavily in a non-premium position, Clemens is a better fallback option than he gets credit for.

 

Clemens was more of a second baseman by the end of 2026, which, ironically, was perhaps his worst defensive fit among the positions he could play. His athleticism makes him a much better fit for a corner infield or outfield spot, and his lack of range showed up in his -3 Outs Above Average at second base. By season’s end, it was easy to forget that he was a good defensive first baseman.

Clemens’s Outs Above Average of 1 at first base was acceptable, and certainly better than the -1 posted by Royce Lewis. He did all he could at the beginning of the year, when he was receiving throws from an entire infield that had to be completely overhauled midseason. Lewis rated better as a receiver of throws, but he was getting better ones than Clemens had been, and Clemens had better range on ground balls to the right side than Lewis did.

Of course, defense is the secondary bar to clear at first base. At a position so far down the defensive spectrum, offense is the main driver of value. Clemens may not be one of the top-tier bats in the Twins’ lineup, but he’s proven capable of meeting the standards for first base.

The league's first basemen posted a .765 aggregate OPS last season, just ahead of Clemens’ .758 over 583 plate appearances. That figure jumps to .789 against right-handed pitching, so if Clemens is deployed as a platoon-protected first baseman, he's above-average. Finding a capable right-handed option to operate as his short-side platoon partner would be pretty easy, and much cheaper than signing a full-time first baseman with that level of expected production.

By making Clemens the strong side of a first-base platoon, the Twins would have a plus defender at first base most of the time, and their options for filling the rest remain wide open. They could take a low-risk flier on someone like Paul Goldschmidt or Ryan Mountcastle, each of whom has destroyed left-handed pitching in their career and who could also occasionally DH. Perhaps if they sign a right-handed hitting outfielder, they could shift Luke Keaschall back to first base against southpaws to maximize their platoon advantage.

The main luxury Clemens should provide is preventing the team from taking too risky a swing at first base. Perhaps Jake Bauers’s breakout in his 30s is real, but are the Twins the team that wants to gamble on it? The first-base free-agent market is fairly light, but do the Twins really want to explore other options that could cost significant trade capital? They might be better served taking risks and investing elsewhere in the roster.

There is one tougher question to answer: If Clemens is the 'who' on first, what's on second? Keaschall certainly can't move back there. With an offseason of prep, Lewis might be a plus defender there, and his bat is more viable at second than at first, but the upside of plugging him in there is low. If and when Marek Houston arrives, one of Houston, Kaelen Culpepper or Brooks Lee will have to find their playing time at second, but that's not guaranteed to happen at all, and even if it does, it probably won't happen right away. If Clemens is being asked to play first, then, the team has to find another bridge to their future at second. Free agency has some interesting names at that position, and again, maybe it's better to take risks there than at first, but installing Clemens at first would force the front office to do so.

Clemens has become more than just a fun story—the son of a former big leaguer claimed off waivers. He has value to offer the Twins, and he’s shown strong signs of being a capable first baseman on a competitive team. He's shown to be an above-average hitter at the position with the right matchups, and is a plus defender, to boot.

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Can the Twins trust Clemens in a platoon? Should they invest in first base and push him back into a bench role, or keep him at second? Let us know below!

Image courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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[SE23]

Been saying this for a while now. Give Clemens a shot at the 1B job. Sign Lowe, Lawlar, Arraez or Dubon to play 2B. Improve your offense AND your defense. Win more games.

Baseball is easy!

[Cory Engelhardt]

I like Clemens. I think he is a great player to have again for the team in 2027. 

I don't think he should be penciled in as a starter at 1B. I think they should look to improve the spot with an external addition in some capacity. Then Clemens can slide into a utility role and back up 1b and 2b and outfield, even though he won't be needed in the outfield as much ongoing, at least most likely. 

I'm NOT saying I want to do this, but part of me does feel like this MIGHT be the height of Clemens' value. Again, NOT saying to trade him, I like him on the team and I'm glad he can be a veteran presence and a mentor. But if some team offers an interesting pitching prospect for him, I think they should consider it. That's mostly because I don't know if he will still be THIS good in 2028. 

[Nashvilletwin]

1 hour ago, SE23 said:

Been saying this for a while now. Give Clemens a shot at the 1B job. Sign Lowe, Lawlar, Arraez or Dubon to play 2B. Improve your offense AND your defense. Win more games.

Baseball is easy!

Agree.  Sign Arraez to play 2B. When Houston arrives, Culpepper moves to 2B, and Arraez and Clemens share first base and DH with Buxton/Keaschall. They can platoon LH and RH.

Lay up move.  Sign Jeffers too. 

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

He can. I'd much rather deploy him at 2B for the time being. His bat and defense play very well there. However, if we sre unable to attain that slugging 1B to hit Cleanup, Kody could absolutely fill that role. The defense is good. The bat would be a little light for 1B, but he would be much better than Lewis or anyone currently on the team. 

[HerbieFan]

I really like him in his utility role, but that requires having a starter at 1B and 2B.  Not sure they have either one so Clemens may have to fill one.  Can you believe we're talking about a waiver claim taking over a position b/c our former #1 overall pick is bad?  

[weitz41]

I like the thought of Clemens at 1B if you bring in a platoon partner like Mountcastle. Plus, they both have experience in the outfield if you're playing the matchup game. Which I expect to continue. 

As for 2B... If they're trying to get into the playoffs, I get it, every team should be in some sense, the team will need to spend on a free agent at 2B if Clemens is at 1st. The lock out could be helpful for the Twins in that aspect. A one-year deal for an upper echelon 2B say Chisholm, Torres or Arreaza could be more likely after the lock out.

[SE23]

2027 is a growth and development year for the Twins anyway. Out with the old, in with the new. Build the foundation.

By next October, we'll know a lot more about the trajectories of Lackey, Houston, Mendez, Kendle, Tinney, Diaw, Tait, Quick, Bohorquez, Gonzalez, Ross, Winokur and Co. Maybe '28 will be the start of something big.

Clemens is an elegant 1B solution for 2027.

 

 

[SE23]

You know who else could be considered as a possible future first baseman? Brooks Lee.

Marek Houston at SS, Culpepper at 3B and Dubon at 2B? Why wouldn't Lee be a Gold Glover at first? 

[DJL44]

“Finding a capable right-handed option to operate as his short-side platoon partner would be pretty easy, and much cheaper than signing a full-time first baseman with that level of expected production.”

”They could take a low-risk flier on someone like Paul Goldschmidt or Ryan Mountcastle, each of whom has destroyed left-handed pitching in their career and who could also occasionally DH.”

Or they could just keep Royce Lewis

[thelanges5]

I like Clemens at 1B

Sign Arraez or trade Ryan for a Casey Schmitt package. 

[Nashvilletwin]

2 hours ago, SE23 said:

You know who else could be considered as a possible future first baseman? Brooks Lee.

Marek Houston at SS, Culpepper at 3B and Dubon at 2B? Why wouldn't Lee be a Gold Glover at first? 

Lee  1B ultimately is not silly if Culpepper ends up being a better fit at 3B and we fill 2B with someone else (Arraez, Clemens, Dubon, etc.)

If we had pulled the trigger on the Ryan for Arias and Tolle trade, Lee would be playing 1B on Houston’s arrival more likely than not with Clemens as the super utility.

[StiltedGopher]

It’s great that the Twins have found some value out of a 2008 Pontiac.  Hoping to get another 12K miles with same results as last 12k will be risky and still with the quirks like the AC doesn’t work.  

[TL]

I think we’d need to aim higher than Lee’s bat to move him off 3rd where he is getting gold glove consideration after just half a season.

I really like the idea of Keaschall getting time there against lefties if we move on from Lewis (which I’m 50/50 on). Let’s use bench spots on guys with more speed and athleticism and not aging sluggers who *may* be able to play 1B once in a while. 

[dxpavelka]

Any defensive plan that involves Keaschall doing anything other than planting his feet in one spot in the grass or on the dirt and staying there is not a good plan.

[MackMan]

12 hours ago, weitz41 said:

I like the thought of Clemens at 1B if you bring in a platoon partner like Mountcastle. Plus, they both have experience in the outfield if you're playing the matchup game. Which I expect to continue. 

As for 2B... If they're trying to get into the playoffs, I get it, every team should be in some sense, the team will need to spend on a free agent at 2B if Clemens is at 1st. The lock out could be helpful for the Twins in that aspect. A one-year deal for an upper echelon 2B say Chisholm, Torres or Arreaza could be more likely after the lock out.

I would not go after Chisholm for 2B. He made WAY to many boneheaded moves to be a reliable source of defense from that position. Maybe he has a bounceback year next year, but he has a slow first step and he gets caught watching the action going on around him instead of playing the game. There's a reason the Yankees didn't offer him a QO because he won't get that much as a FA and the Yankees didn't want to risk him accepting that and being on the hook for a player who plays subpar defense and has an average bat. 

I'd be willing to take a shot at Gleyber Torres though. His bat is decent and his defense is serviceable, since moving to 2nd. But that limits him completely and his probably going to demand to get paid like a SS. But he definitely ain't out hustling anyone with his slow speed. 

Arraez could be an interesting reunion though. Bring him back on a 2-3 yr deal where he can split between 2nd, 1st, and DH. I know his defense is less than stellar, but his bat is a lot like Keaschall's. Too good to leave out of the lineup. He gets on base via hit, doesn't strikeout a ton, but also doesn't walk a lot, doesn't hit a lot of extra base hits, doesn't play the best defense, isn't the fastest player out there, but he does get on base. He puts the pressure on the defense by forcing them to make play by putting the ball in play. On top of that as a veteran player, he might be able to teach some of these younger players a good approach to the plate. Heck, he might be a perfect person to help teach Houston, who a glove first SS, just how to hit for average and make himself more marketable. 

[Coach JT]

What if we just platooned Clemons and Gabby at first . Move Culpepper to 3rd , Houston at Ss and move 3B to 2B and trade Lewis for bullpen help ? We get younger and stronger defensively and we let Lewis try to reclaim his spot somewhere else . 

[TopGunn#22]

Clemens has proven himself to be a capable player.  He's a better Utility guy than Castro ever was and he has greater defensive versatility.  I'm O.K. adding a RH option at 1B to be used in a platoon with Clemens.  Goldschmidt and Mountcastle fill that role.

Ty France would be a better signing  He would be a more regular 1B hitting against RH pitchers as well as LHP's with Clemens playing 1B against specific LHP's to give France a day off.  I would prefer the Ty France route and just play Clemens at 2B the majority of the time and sit Clemens against LHP.  I expect Marek Houston to rise to the challenge at AAA St. Paul and starting about June 1st, to be in the conversation for a call up.  It very well could take until July 1st, but the longer range plan would be to have Lee-3B, Houston-SS, Culpepper-2B and then a Ty France/Cody Clemens 1B. 

That would be pretty darn good IF defense.  With Jenkins and E-Rod replacing the Larnach/Wallner spots, and incremental improvement from Keaschall, (and Buxton of course) the overall, IF/OF defense would improve quite a bit.  I don't think you can minimize what Marek Houston will bring to the overall defensive improvement of the Twins.

Jazz Chisholm is not the answer.  Brandon Lowe will be too expensive.  I think Gleybor Torrez is slipping defensively.  Ty France would cement Clemens at 2B for the first 2 or 3 months of the season with occasional starts at 1B against a tough RHP.  And it leaves the door open for a Marek Houston promotion that will be a difference maker.  

 

[farmerguychris]

I don't like penciling him as our full time 1st because his ability to fill in at so many positions is his greatest asset.  He has a pretty darn good bat for a utility guy, as a starter at 1st - his bat is not as much to write home about.  Its OK, but only OK.

[AceWrigley]

Kody Clemens is one of the finalists for the Silver Slugger Award for second baseman, just like we all predicted before the season started. I don't know if the Twins saw something or just got lucky but Kody has been a good addition and just continues to find ways to play good baseball.

[Senior Softball Guy]

Arreaz and Keaschall at the top of the lineup would drive starting pitchers to drink!

[SE23]

23 minutes ago, farmerguychris said:

I don't like penciling him as our full time 1st because his ability to fill in at so many positions is his greatest asset.  He has a pretty darn good bat for a utility guy, as a starter at 1st - his bat is not as much to write home about.  Its OK, but only OK.

I like the internal committee approach, playing Clemens at 1B against right-handers and Keaschall vs lefties. Makes Kody more dangerous over there.

[MackMan]

27 minutes ago, Senior Softball Guy said:

Arreaz and Keaschall at the top of the lineup would drive starting pitchers to drink!

Here's the real question. Who do you bat #1 or #2? I like Keaschall as our leadoff because he has double damage and base-stealing potential. Pair that with Arraez being able to get on base by slap hitting or soft liners over the 2B or SS says runs score quite a bit. But if we also have Arraez leadoff and he gets a hit most of the time, that give Keaschall the ability to drive him in with his doubles or hard hit singles. 

[DJL44]

4 hours ago, Coach JT said:

What if we just platooned Clemons and Gabby at first . Move Culpepper to 3rd , Houston at Ss and move 3B to 2B and trade Lewis for bullpen help ? We get younger and stronger defensively and we let Lewis try to reclaim his spot somewhere else . 

Gonzalez is bad on offense and defense. He needs to be in AAA.

[bjorks]

16 hours ago, DJL44 said:

 

Or they could just keep Royce Lewis

I mean, he's the cheapest option by maybe a few million, but it would allow them to invest in 2B and bullpen much more aggressively. If they sign Arraez, I just want to see him hitting 4th. 

[weitz41]

7 hours ago, MackMan said:

I would not go after Chisholm for 2B. He made WAY to many boneheaded moves to be a reliable source of defense from that position. Maybe he has a bounceback year next year, but he has a slow first step and he gets caught watching the action going on around him instead of playing the game. There's a reason the Yankees didn't offer him a QO because he won't get that much as a FA and the Yankees didn't want to risk him accepting that and being on the hook for a player who plays subpar defense and has an average bat. 

I'd be willing to take a shot at Gleyber Torres though. His bat is decent and his defense is serviceable, since moving to 2nd. But that limits him completely and his probably going to demand to get paid like a SS. But he definitely ain't out hustling anyone with his slow speed. 

Arraez could be an interesting reunion though. Bring him back on a 2-3 yr deal where he can split between 2nd, 1st, and DH. I know his defense is less than stellar, but his bat is a lot like Keaschall's. Too good to leave out of the lineup. He gets on base via hit, doesn't strikeout a ton, but also doesn't walk a lot, doesn't hit a lot of extra base hits, doesn't play the best defense, isn't the fastest player out there, but he does get on base. He puts the pressure on the defense by forcing them to make play by putting the ball in play. On top of that as a veteran player, he might be able to teach some of these younger players a good approach to the plate. Heck, he might be a perfect person to help teach Houston, who a glove first SS, just how to hit for average and make himself more marketable. 

If the lock out makes a mess of free agent deals, which it more than likely will. My preference would be for Torres on a 1-year deal. Mostly in the hope that Houston takes over SS by the late part of the 2027 season and Culpepper needs to play. Then Tom P an say he will spend and the only logical place is on BP or starting pitching.