Player: Kacy Clemens
Drafted by: Houston Astros (No. 1037 overall)
Position: RHP
DOB: 7/27/1994 (Age: 18)
Height/Weight: 6'2"/200 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/R
School: Memorial HS (TX)
College Commitment: Texas
Background
Being the son of a seven-time Cy Young winner can have its advantages, as it all but guarantees Kacy Clemens that he will be drafted at some point, and he had a great tutor growing up. Unfortunately, there is only so much the elder Clemens can do for his son's performance on the field.
There is nothing wrong with Clemens per se, just that he doesn't have the kind of stuff or projection you want from a high school pitcher. He has some ability as a first baseman, but his best route to pro ball will be on the mound.
Full Scouting Report
Note: Numerical scores are on the conventional 80-point scouting scale, with the current score first and projected score second.
Body/Mechanics:
Already filled out at age 18; sturdy, durable frame at 6'2", 200 pounds; lacks physical projection, but could find a little velocity with some strength and conditioning drills; clean and easy delivery, strikingly similar to his father; great kick off the mound and use of lower half; arm speed is solid and repeats mechanics.
Fastball: 45/50
Fringe-average fastball right now; velocity varies from high 80s to low 90s from start to start; very straight out of his hand and easy for hitters to turn on; never going to overpower hitters, so must rely on off-speed stuff and control to get outs.
Curveball: 40/50
Polished breaking ball already; good feel and confidence in the pitch; tight rotation and late snap give it the potential to miss a few bats or at least generate weak contact; will be best weapon in professional baseball.
Changeup: 40/45
Some feel for changeup at present; pitch comes out of his hand a little too hard without enough separation from fastball to fool hitters; some downward movement to generate soft contact; projects as fringe-average.
Control: 45/55
Very good ability to throw strikes; moves the ball in and out, up and down; aggressive, attacking style even though caliber of stuff is modest; polished on the mound and very good poise in every situation; stuff could play up because of ability to control the zone.
Command: 40/50
Can get in trouble throwing too many strikes thanks to lack of swing-and-miss stuff; moves the ball around with tremendous ease; will have to be a feel pitcher to succeed in the big leagues; advanced feel could help him move quickly for a high schooler.
MLB Player Comparison: Mike Leake
Projection: Back-end starter (No. 4) on first-division team.
MLB ETA: 2017
Chances of Signing: 25%
Considering where Clemens is at right now, the fact that his family is able to provide for him and the opportunity to follow in his father's footsteps at the University of Texas, it is hard to see Kacy going to professional baseball right now.
If Clemens' ceiling was higher or he showed better present stuff, which would push him way up draft boards compared to where he is right now, there would be a better chance that he would sign. Instead, look for him to go to school and reenter the draft in three years.
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