Low-A pitcher earns Pitcher of the Week accolade, with the honors going to a promising prospect from the Cardinals' organization.
Hitting a Hat-Trick with Walks Left Behind
A farmer-turned-pitcher in St. Louis is making waves in the Minor League Baseball scene, notching Player of the Week honors for an astonishing third week in a row - all while based in sunny Palm Beach.
Following a string of victories by infielders Cade McGee and Josh Kross, the accolade was returned to Palm Beach by pitcher Randel Clemente, who shone with his pitching prowess in Jupiter last week.
Clemente, a 23-year-old stalwart from the Dominican Republic, managed two scoreless relief appearances against Clearwater, leaving their batters without a hit. He also tallied an impressive six strikeouts over four innings, only walking one batter – a notable improvement in his usually erratic walk record.
Walking batter after batter has been Clemente's Achilles' heel since joining the pro ranks, but his initial performances in 2025 have shown a slight improvement, with a lower walk count than the previous season. In 2024, he walked 50 batters over 68 innings pitched across Low-A and the Florida Complex League[4]. Fast forward to 2025, his run of the season includes only four walks in six innings[5].
Despite his 6.75 ERA during the first five games of 2025, surrendering six hits, five earned runs, and four walks while recording nine strikeouts, the decrease in walks indicates that Clemente is making progress in controlling his pitching[6].
As he enters his fourth season in the Cardinals organization, Clemente has amassed a 128-inning count since signing as an international free agent in 2020. His bat-defying abilities in Low-A baseball will continue to be refined, with command and control issues to address in hopes of earning a High-A Peoria promotion[7].
The Palm Beach Cardinals kick off the week at home on Tuesday, hosting a six-game series against the Jupiter Hammerheads.
[4] With 20 walks over 26 innings in the Florida Complex League, followed by an additional 30 walks over 22 innings after his mid-season promotion to Low-A Palm Beach.[5] Although a small sample size, this lower walk count equates to a whole walk fewer on the season.[6] Over his five outings in 2025, he has a 6.75 ERA across 6.2 innings pitched, with 6 hits, 5 earned runs, 4 walks, and 9 strikeouts.[7] Incorporating better command and control into his repertoire will be crucial for Clemente’s eventual promotion to High-A Peoria.
In the current run of the 2025 season, baseball pitcher Randel Clemente, stationed with the Palm Beach Cardinals, has displayed a reduced walk rate compared to his previous season. Despite his ERA of 6.75, he has only registered four walks in six innings, representing a significant improvement in his control over the game. By the end of 2025, the display on the sports field suggests that Clemente could potentially secure a promotion to High-A Peoria, continuing his journey in Minor League Baseball.
