Seattle Mariners C Jeff Clement and OF Wladimir Balentien recalled

April 30, 2008 @ 12:34:30

By Tim Piotrowski
Edited by Tim Heaney

Ryan Divish, of the Tacoma News Tribune, reports the Seattle Mariners have recalled catcher Jeff Clement and outfielder Wladimir Balentien from Triple-A Tacoma. Divish also reports the team designated outfielder Brad Wilkerson for assignment.

Clement and Balentien are considered two of the Mariners' top prospects. Both had a shot to make the team out of spring training but were sent to Tacoma at the start of the season.

Clement has been crushing the ball in his first month this season for Tacoma, hitting .397 with eight doubles, five home runs and 20 RBIs in 23 games. The team's top prospect for 2008, according to Baseball America, has also walked 22 times and struck out 12 times. Clement spent the majority of last season at Tacoma and was able to put up terrific numbers. In 124 games, he hit .275 with 35 doubles, 20 home runs and 80 RBIs. He received a September call-up last season and made the most of his opportunity. He played in nine games, batting .375 with one double, two home runs and three RBIs. The 24-year-old likely will see most of his playing time at designated hitter and might see an occasional start at catcher.

Balentien also has been productive this season for Tacoma. He is hitting .254 with five doubles, six home runs and 20 RBIs in 17 games this season. Boasting a great combination of power and speed, he was named the Pacific Coast League Rookie of the Year last season, after hitting .291 with 24 doubles, 24 home runs and 84 RBIs in 124 games. He saw minimal time with the Mariners in 2007. He went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and four RBIs over three games. With his call-up, the 23-year-old likely will be the team's starting right fielder for the foreseeable future.

In shallow leagues, owners may want to wait for a few games before deciding on whether to pick one or both of them up off waivers. In deeper leagues, owners should look to add them to their roster because they likely will see regular playing time for the Mariners.

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Tim Piotrowski
Piotrowski has been a Hot Off the Wire analyst since 2007.

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