"Rainiers' Clement adjusts...Catcher learning to handle slump" -- Aug. 2, 2006

BY CALEB BREAKEY
THE OLYMPIAN

Seattle Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi labeled him "untouchable" at the trade deadline. Others labeled him underachieving.

Catcher Jeff Clement, third overall selection in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, is the topic at hand.

After excelling at Double-A San Antonio, the Mariners promoted Clement to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, where he was hitting .236 with seven extra base hits in 123 at-bats through Tuesday.

Critics expect more from the 22-year-old backstop, but Rainiers hitting coach Terry Pollreisz said high expectations leads to frustration. Even so, Clement, who bears thick eyebrows and a brawny chin, said he isn't rattled by people's offensive or defensive projections.

"I don't pay too much attention to what's said and read because that's not going to help me perform out there," he said. "What's going to help me perform is getting here early and getting that work in and learning from the games. If I'm reading the papers and listening to what everyone is saying, then I'll never play up to my capabilities."

This spring an MLB.com reporter asked Mariners manager Mike Hargrove what he thought of Clement as the catcher took batting practice.

"Give me an easy chair and a glass of tea and I can watch him swing the bat all day long," Hargrove responded.

Pollreisz noted that the 6-foot-2, 215 pound Clement reached the minor league's highest level in just his second year of professional baseball. He added that young players tend to try too hard, which produces a streaky player.

"He's like any other player," Pollreisz said. "He's a young professional hitter and he's going to have his ups and downs."

Clement, who shares time behind the plate with Rob Johnson, said learning from both successes and failures is key for him because stressing over mistakes can mentally disrupt players.

Whether he goes hitless in four at-bats or gets a game-winning hit, Clement needs to focus on the things that will make him a better player the next day, Rainiers manager Dave Brundage said.

The Tacoma skipper said he didn't expect Clement to bat .350 upon his Triple-A arrival, and that management is pushing and challenging the Iowa native by putting him at this level.

Defense, not offence, should be Clement's No. 1 concern this season, Brundage said - blocking balls, throwing to second, framing pitches and calling a good game.

"The bat is going to come," he said. "There's a lot on his plate."

Clement, who batted .288 with 2 home runs, six doubles and a triple in 15 games before being promoted to the Rainiers, said his offensive struggles aren't mechanical.

Facing Pacific Coast League veteran pitchers in his second year has him miss-hitting pitches more than ever, Clement said.

"There's nothing I can do about those past at-bats except learn from them," he said. "That's what I've been doing the past month."

Clement downplayed the fact that he's a first-round pick with higher expectations. He said only players affect themselves, not management's or fan's expectations.

"The only things that get in your head are the things that you put in your head," he said.
"Obviously, they expect a lot of me, and I expect a lot of myself. It's a great spot to be in."