Cleveland Indians #15 prospect Michael Clevinger made his Triple-A debut Monday night for the Columbus Clippers in a win-or-go-home Game 5 versus the Norfolk Tides (Orioles). Clevinger was masterful over 7 2/3 no-hit innings, allowing just two walks while striking out ten. The Clippers would win by a final of 5-0, and reliever Shaun Marcum would allow two hits to the Tides–a single to the first batter he’d face in the 8th, and a double with one out in the 9th.
Clevinger, 24, was originally selected by the Angels in the 4th round of the 2011 draft and “blew out his elbow eight starts into his first full pro season” according to MLB Pipeline. After being sidelined for much of 2012 and 2013, the righty totaled a 4.41 ERA over 100 innings in 2014. He was acquired by Cleveland last August for Vinnie Pestano, and spent this season with Double-A Akron, posting a 9-8 record to go along with a solid 2.73 ERA before his promotion to Columbus.
While injuries have slowed down his ascension through the system, Clevinger still projects as a number three starter in the Majors.
Awaiting the Clippers will be the Indianapolis Indians (Pirates oddly enough), who swept their semi-final series against Scranton/WB last week. Columbus and Indianapolis finished tied atop the International League West division at 83-61, the top records in the league. It’s only fitting that these two divisional rivals will now play one another for the International League title starting Tuesday.
Having just punched their ticket to the next round, Columbus has yet to announce a starter for Game 1, while Indianapolis will be relying on 28-year-old right-hander Chris Volstad, who has plenty of Major League experience, having pitched for four different teams, totaling 705 2/3 innings over seven seasons. Volstad was notably traded by the Marlins in 2012 to the Cubs for Carlos Zambrano.
This season with the Pirates affiliate, Volstad holds an 11-7 record with a 3.18 ERA over 27 games (25 starts), spanning 155 2/3 innings.
With Clevinger having just pitched for the Clippers it’s unlikely that he’ll get the ball again before Game 5, if necessary. If he were to pitch in another series-deciding game that would be one heck of a way to start his Triple-A career.