Clemmey struck out eight and walked three over six scoreless, no-hit innings for High-A Wilmington on Sunday.
The 20-year-old southpaw hasn't allowed an earned run in four straight starts, and while he has issued at least three free passes in each, he's also fanned 25 batters in 22.2 innings over that stretch. A second-round pick of the Guardians in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, Clemmey came over to the Nationals in the Lane Thomas trade last year and while his control is still a work in progress, his fastball-slider combo is proving to be too much for Sally League hitters. Given his recent dominance, a cup of coffee at Double-A before the end of the year wouldn't be a surprise.
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Nationals' Alex Clemmey: Leading Sally League in Ks
Rotowire
Clemmey has posted a 3.15 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 67:38 K:BB through 11 starts and 45.2 innings for High-A Wilmington this season.
The 67 Ks leads the South Atlantic League, and they've been coming in bunches -- the 19-year-old has fanned exactly nine batters in three of his last five starts, and he had a 10-strikeout performance back on April 10. Clemmey's control remains erratic, as he's issued multiple walks in every start so far in 2025, but his mid-90s fastball and slider both grade out as potential plus pitches. If the 6-foot-6 southpaw can find some consistency in his mechanics, he could still have a future as a starter, but in the long run his most likely path to the majors is as a high-leverage reliever in the Tanner Scott mold.
The Nationals acquired Clemmey and infielders Jose Tena and Rafael Ramirez from the Guardians on Monday in exchange for outfielder Lane Thomas, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Clemmey is the regarded as the top asset of the three-prospect haul heading to Washington in the deal. The 58th overall pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, Clemmey has produced a 5.15 ERA with an impressive 12.4 K/9 over 71.2 innings in 20 starts with Single-A Lynchburg so far this season. The left-hander will likely report to Washington's Single-A affiliate in Fredericksburg.
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