Article published August 17, 2008
After players hit the big time, it’s tough in minors
Outfielder Brent Clevlen still has good stats overall, but has not been productive lately. He admits after getting a taste of life with the Tigers, it’s tougher to concentrate in a Hens uniform.
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THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
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By JOE VARDON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
Brent Clevlen is an International League all-star outfielder, has my vote to make the postseason all-star team, and had a batting average of over .290 through play Friday.
So there’s no question he’s having a solid season — his 21 homers and 75 RBIs prior to yesterday weren’t bad, either. But he’ll readily admit he hasn’t been the same for quite some time.
While he’s been suffering from fatigue for the last week, what’s ailed him for about two months is the same problem Clete Thomas dealt with earlier this year and is what Jeff Larish and Mike Hollimon are battling now.
Being optioned from the majors to Triple-A — this may shock you — is a bit of a letdown.
“It’s definitely tough when you go back down because you want to be up there,” said Clevlen, who was promoted to Detroit June 6 and sent back to the Hens June 20.
Clevlen also played briefly for the Tigers in 2006 and 2007.
“It’s a lot tougher to play when you’ve experienced the big leagues, and since I came back down [last month] I really haven’t been the same,” he said.
Entering play yesterday, Clevlen had 50 hits in his last 196 at-bats (.255).
Hollimon, who returned to the Hens from Detroit July 7, is only now starting to inch out of a slump that read 4 for 48 at one point last week.
Larish, whose average has been solid since he returned to the Hens July 21 but has had a drop in power, said the tough part is adjusting from filling a part-time role while with Detroit to going back to playing all the time in Toledo.
“I wouldn’t change the experience for anything — going up there and sitting on the bench in that environment — but it’s definitely an adjustment when you come back,” Larish said. “You have to find a rhythm and get back into a routine.”
Hens manager Larry Parrish has seen countless players face this mental challenge during his six seasons managing in Toledo.
“Some of these guys get their first opportunity in the big leagues, and then they get sent back and they’re like, ‘Wow, that was nice,’” Parrish said. “The money is nice. The travel is nice. Then they get back here. They have to watch that mentally they don’t get stuck somewhere in between.”
Thomas opened the year with the Tigers and had never played in Triple-A until he was optioned to Toledo on April 23. He hit just .237 in May, but Detroit recalled him anyway on May 29.
Thomas lost his spot in Detroit when Magglio Ordonez came off the disabled list July 17. He’s hit .295 since with the Hens.
“I definitely learned from when I got sent down the first time and went into a big hole,” Thomas said. “You just have to go out and play. That’s what got you to the big leagues in the first place. It’s all a part of paying your dues.”
Clevlen, Larish, Hollimon and Thomas are not the reason the Hens have plummeted out of the postseason race. Not even close.
But the thought in this corner was that when all these prospects returned to the Hens, they would provide enough support for Toledo to overcome its other deficiencies.
Obviously, with the Hens miles out of first place, that didn’t happen. But all may not be lost for at least some of that foursome.
When major league rosters expand from 25 to 40 players in September, Thomas, Larish and possibly Clevlen will have strong chances to be recalled to Detroit, where they’ll play part-time and love every minute of it.
BAD TIMING: For the 1000th time, IL all-stars Mike Hessman and Blaine Neal are not with the Hens now because they’re playing for Team USA at the Olympics. And I wonder if they have any regrets about making the trip?
In Neal’s case, he surely would be in Detroit now if he had not gone to Beijing because of Joel Zumaya’s shoulder injury last week.
Not only has Neal been Toledo’s top bullpen man all year, but he still led the IL with 25 saves as of Friday despite leaving for the Olympics at the end of July. Neal, without question, would’ve been the Tigers’ top choice as Zumaya’s replacement.
As for Hessman, a third baseman, his chance to reach Detroit would hinge on Tigers third baseman Carlos Guillen’s creaky back, which so far has not landed him on the disabled list.
But if Hessman were stateside, who knows if the Tigers would feel more comfortable giving Guillen a prolonged break? With Detroit’s recent power outage, Hessman’s 32 homers would have to be enticing to a general manager or manager.
Both Hessman and Neal consider it an honor to represent the U.S. in Beijing. At least for Neal, playing for his country cost him a big-league promotion.
That kind of promotion is why Neal and Hessman play this game.
Contact Joe Vardon at:jvardon@theblade.comor 419-410-5055.
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