Astros minor league recap; Most Disappointing Player of 2012

Before the rest of the CTH crew hands out some awards for the minor leaguers, I’ll get things started by naming the year’s “Most Disappointing Player.” The major league team was a major disappointment, but most of the minor leaguers lived up to expectations. There were a few guys who struggled, and one pitcher in particular.

Paul Clemens (Scott Rovak-US PRESSWIRE)

Coming into the season I had high expectations for Paul Clemens. The lanky right-hander was coming off an outstanding age 23 season at the AA level. Clemens made one AAA start for Oklahoma City at the end of the year and figured to be a fixture in the RedHawks rotation in 2012. After a successful two week stint with the Astros in Spring Training Clemens was sent to minor league camp. Clemens was progressing as expected and opened the season in the RedHawks rotation.

But things didn’t go as planned for Clemens in Oklahoma City. After amassing a 6.73 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP in twenty AAA starts Clemens was demoted to Corpus Christi.

Paul fared better against AA hitters, posting a 3.46 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP in seven starts down the stretch. Clemens also got the start in Game 1 of the Hooks playoff series against Frisco Wednesday. Clemens gave up five runs on seven hits and a walk in two and two/thirds innings and left with the Hooks trailing by three. Erick Abreu relieved Clemens and got out of the inning with no further damage. The Hooks rallied to tie the game 5-5 after eight innings but eventually lost 6-5 in the ninth.

It’s great that Clemens is getting some playoff experience in the minors but also somewhat disappointing. In Spring Training I thought Clemens might be wearing an Astros uniform in September; I never would have guessed he’d be wearing a Hooks uniform instead.