SUGAR LAND, TEXAS (March 26, 2013) The Sugar Land Skeeters announced today that minor league catcher Koby Clemens has signed and will return for the 2013 season with the club. The announcement was made by Skeeters Manager Gary Gaetti and Director of Operations Michael Kirk.
Clemens joined Sugar Land in September 2012 following his release from the Toronto Blue Jays organization, where he hit .246 (47x191) over 64 total minor league games. He caught one game for the Skeeters and made professional baseball history when he caught his father, Roger Clemens, during the seven-time Cy Young Award winner’s second start with the Skeeters at Constellation Field.
“Koby showed me a lot last year. He’s played different positions, he’s always been a good hitter and you know his pedigree and his bloodline are solid,” said Gaetti. “When he came to catch last year, he looked really good behind the plate. For me, he looked good enough to take a chance on and to be our guy to catch.”
Originally selected by the Houston Astros in the eighth round of the June 2005 Draft, Clemens reached the Triple A level with the Astros before joining the Blue Jays organization in February 2012. Clemens earned the California League batting title (.345) in 2009 as a member of Houston’s Class A Lancaster JetHawks and led all minor leaguers with 123 RBI that year. The following season, he led Double A Corpus Christi in several offensive categories, including home runs (26) and RBI (85), and was ultimately named Corpus Christi’s Co-Player of the Year.
In eight professional seasons with the Houston (2005-11), Toronto (2012) and Sugar Land (2012) organizations, Clemens owns a career .264 (717x2721) average and has played five different defensive positions since his rookie season in 2005.
“He certainly is a quality individual and I know the work ethic is there. I know his desire and professionalism are there. I’m counting on him to be our everyday catcher and I’m excited to have him,” said Gaetti.
Opening Day for the Sugar Land Skeeters is scheduled for Thursday, April 18 at Constellation Field against the 2012 Atlantic League Champion Long Island Ducks. Skeeters eight-game and full-season ticket plans are still available, so fans are encouraged to act now and be a part of the 2013 season excitement.
For more information about the Atlantic League, the Sugar Land Skeeters or how to purchase tickets, visit the team’s website at www.sugarlandskeeters.com or call the Skeeters ticket office at 281.240.HITS.
About the Sugar Land Skeeters
The Sugar Land Skeeters, led by Manager and former Major League All-Star Gary Gaetti, play at Constellation Field, a $37 million stadium located at the intersection of State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A in Sugar Land – just 20 minutes from downtown Houston.
The Skeeters play 140 regular season games (70 home, 70 away) in the Atlantic League, considered the highest level of Minor League Baseball. Atlantic League players are “Major League ready” and in the last 15 years, over 600 players have graduated from Atlantic League clubs to Major League organizations, making the League a preferred route for experienced players to be scouted by Major League Baseball.
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