Clemmey, 19, more than holds his own as Nats' Spring Breakout starter

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Alex Clemmey is only 19. He has one year of professional experience. He has yet to reach high Single-A. He’s spent his first spring training in the Nationals organization pitching on the back fields in front of a smattering of onlookers.

So while the environment inside CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches Sunday evening was hardly the equivalent of a major league ballpark – or even a Triple-A park on fireworks night, for that matter – the Spring Breakout game still did represent a big step up for the young left-hander.

How did Clemmey handle his starting assignment for the Nats’ team of top prospects against their counterparts from the Mets?

“Just stayed as calm and poised as possible, go out there compete and have fun,” he said. “That’s what I did.”

He did it quite well. Over the course of three sharp innings during an eventual 5-1 loss, Clemmey struck out six batters with an impressive 1-2 punch: a 97-mph fastball and a high-80s slider that accounted for three of the strikeouts.

He wasn’t perfect; he left a 3-0 pitch over the plate to Mets third base prospect Boston Baro and watched the ball soar over the left field wall. He gave up two more hits and issued one walk, as well.

But the stuff was there for all to see, and it was impressive.

“It’s a lot of different eyes, a lot of different swings,” Clemmey said. “Seeing how my stuff plays in different counts against different hitters at different levels. It was great to see that today, to see that my stuff plays well in different zones against some of the top hitters in the world.”

At 19, Clemmey was younger than most of the players who took the field Sunday for both clubs. Seven of the Mets’ nine starting position players were at least 21.

You wouldn’t know it based on both the results and the way Clemmey carried himself on the mound. He looked very much like he belonged, and on more than a few occasions overpowered those older hitters with his repertoire.

“I think any experience is valuable,” when asked about the value of facing more experienced hitters. “My mindset is the same every time I step between those lines: compete and win baseball games. If I can do that, keep the runs down and come out with a win, I’m always happy.”

Selected by the Guardians in the second round of the 2023 Draft out of Warwick, R.I., Clemmey was dealt to the Nationals last July as part of the trade deadline return for outfielder Lane Thomas. The 6-foot-6 southpaw made six regular season starts for Single-A Fredericksburg, striking out 26 batters but walking 16 in 23 innings.

He also got a chance to pitch in the Carolina League playoffs and help lead the FredNats to a championship.

Now that he’s had some time in the organization, he’s feeling more comfortable with the organization’s plan for him, having already seen positive changes since he arrived.

“I think it’s just simplifying things. Less is more,” Clemmey said. “I think just being simple with what I do, and having a great support system around me has been great.”