The Skinny on Paul Clemens

Well, the questions about why Josh Fields wasn't getting any time on the hill were answered today when the Rule 5 pick was put on the 15-day DL with a forearm strain thus setting the stage for an early season call-up for Paul Clemens. Clemens, if you will recall, was part of the return we got in the Michael Bourn trade with Atlanta back in 2011. Primarily a starter in the minors, the former 7th round draft pick has logged a 4.55 ERA over 6 minor league seasons going 32-30 and logging 537 2/3 innings. He had a great spring last year, generating quite a buzz, but he laid an egg in AAA posting a 6.73 ERA in 20 starts before eventually getting sent down to AA Corpus Christi where he started to find his form again. The 6'4" Clemens has a plus fastball that can touch the upper 90s, and some decent secondary pitches. He has the potential to be something of a power reliever in the back of the bullpen if he doesn't make it as a starter. And with this bullpen, might as well given him a shot, right?