Jeff

Clement

Clement, the third overall pick in the 2005 draft, is batting .298/.406/.439 in 16 games in the Midwest League.

It’s surprising that the Mariners promoted Clement when they already have Rob Johnson and Guillermo Quiroz to split catching duties at Tacoma. Clement had been out since early May following surgeries to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee and remove a bone chip from his left elbow.

The contract includes an invitation to major leauge spring training, where Clement will attempt to land a spot on the Pirates’ bench. The 28-year-old first baseman missed most of the 2011 season due to major knee surgery.

The move clears him from the 40-man roster. The former top prospect went 1-for-6 in five games during his week-long stay with the team.

Clement hasn’t recorded a hit at the major league level since the 2010 season and is doubtful to get regular playing time down the stretch in Pittsburgh. The former top prospect will carry zero fantasy value.

It will be the former top prospect’s first stint on an active roster since 2010. Clement was in the midst of a serviceable campaign for Indy, hitting .276/.340/.486 to go along with 53 extra-base hits and 57 RBI through 459 plate appearances. In for a small role, he’s not worth a look in NL-only leagues for the time being.

Clement hasn’t been a prospect for a while, but he did have a pretty nice year at Triple-A with the Pirates in 2012, batting .276/.340/.486 line with 16 homers and 57 RBI. He’s merely organizational depth.

Clement got the boot Thursday as the club added right-hander Chad Beck and catcher Ali Solis to the 40-man roster. The former top prospect batted .136 (3-for-22) with one double and one RBI in 23 games with the Pirates this year.

The third overall pick in the 2005 amateur draft, Clement has completely fallen off the prospect map. Still, he posted a .276/.340/.486 line with 16 homers and 57 RBI for Triple-A Indianapolis, and should have no problems finding another team willing to give him a shot.

Clement was designated for assignment by the Pirates late last week. He will become a free agent on Friday.