Papelbon: The next Rodger Clemens?

[RedSoxVT92]

Yes this is a very big comparison but Papelbon has very good talent. If given the chance I think he will do fantastic. His fastball is very comparable to that of clemens in that it has that late life to it. It may be too early to tell but his potentiol looks great. I just wanted to see what others think.

[TheKingofKings]

Yes this is a very big comparison but Papelbon has very good talent. If given the chance I think he will do fantastic. His fastball is very comparable to that of clemens in that it has that late life to it. It may be too early to tell but his potentiol looks great. I just wanted to see what others think.

I think you are judging his Potential too HIGH and should wait 2 or 3 more seasons to make such a big comparison , SORRY !!!

[YOUgodofwalks]

Clemens is the best pitcher of our time and one of the best of all time, IMO, and I know I have heard many other who agree. I really hope he can be that good so he can help the Sox, but give him at least one full season of starting then re-evaluate.

[VTSoxFan]

It does seem a bit early yet, but I have heard others make the same comparison. I have also heard him compared to a young Tom Seaver.

Let us hope he lives up to his potential and these glittering predictions!

[efin98]

The consensus around Boston in the media is that he is on track to be a future Clemens, but what he needs to prove that is starts. I doubt he will get that shot this year, I think he's bound for the bullpen with Tim Wakefield until someone gets injured.

Next year is his moment in the spotlight, this year he simply breaks the ice.

[DoubleX]

I don't care how much potential Papelbon or any young pitcher might have, it's a ridiculous comparison. Clemens is arguably the greatest pitcher to ever play, and that is not a label or a comparison that you can just give to some youngster based on potential. It takes a lot more than potential to reach the heights that Clemens has reached and history has shown how easily a pitcher can become derailed, either by injury or nerves or immaturity or something else.

Papelbon is rated by Baseball America as the 37th best prospect in baseball right now. He is ranked behind 9 other pitchers, including another pitcher in the Red Sox organization - Jon Lester. So does that mean there are at least 10 potential Roger Clemenses in the making? Papelbon isn't even considered the best pitching prospect in his own organization, let alone baseball, let alone being considered the next Roger Clemens (or Tom Seaver).

[efin98]

I don't care how much potential Papelbon or any young pitcher might have, it's a ridiculous comparison. Clemens is arguably the greatest pitcher to ever live, and that is not a label or a comparison that you can just give to some youngster based on potential. It takes a lot more than potential to reach the heights that Clemens has reached and history has shown how easily a pitcher can become derailed, either by injury or nerves or immaturity or something else.

Papelbon is rated by Baseball America as the 37th best prospect in baseball right now. He is ranked behind 9 other pitchers, including another pitcher in the Red Sox organization - Jon Lester. So does that mean there are at least 10 potential Roger Clemenses in the making?Papelbon isn't even considered the best pitching prospect in his own organization, let alone baseball, let alone being considered the next Roger Clemens.

It depends on what the comparisons are being based on.

A few have made the comparison based on his mechanics and pitching style, others on his reliance on the K. From guys who know Clemens inside and out having covered his rise from a prospect to the dominating pitcher, I'd take alot of stock in that comparison- they actually know of what they speak.

[DoubleX]

It depends on what the comparisons are being based on.

A few have made the comparison based on his mechanics and pitching style, others on his reliance on the K. From guys who know Clemens inside and out having covered his rise from a prospect to the dominating pitcher, I'd take alot of stock in that comparison- they actually know of what they speak.

It's one thing to say his mechanics or his build or his moxy or some individual characteristic are similar to Clemens (there is actually a pitcher in the Yankees organization that has been given that comparison as well - Phillip Hughes), but to say at this point he's the second-coming of arguably the best pitcher ever, is a tremendous stretch. It's not that easy, and I can't see how Papelpon can be said to be a best-pitcher ever in the making when he's not even considered the best pitching prospect in baseball or in the Red Sox organization.

[efin98]

It's one thing to say his mechanics or his build or his moxy or some individual characteristic are similar to Clemens (there is actually a pitcher in the Yankees organization that has been given that comparison as well - Phillip Hughes), but to say at this point he's the second-coming of arguably the best pitcher ever, is a tremendous stretch. It's not that easy, and I can't see how Papelpon can be said to be a best-pitcher ever in the making when he's not even considered the best pitching prospect in baseball or in the Red Sox organization.

Like I said, it depends on what the comparisons are based on. With the Red Sox that comparison is not taken lightly and not thrown around unless it is meant, especially among the media.

[DoubleX]

Like I said, it depends on what the comparisons are based on. With the Red Sox that comparison is not taken lightly and not thrown around unless it is meant, especially among the media.

I feel like I've heard the comparison tossed out there a few times before while I was living in Boston. Well if people are taking this seriously, then people are getting way ahead of themselves and will almost surely be disappointed. There have been a lot of pitchers throughout the years, a lot, and there has only been one Roger Clemens. I think it's extremely presumptuous to say that at this point in his career, Papelbon even has a remote chance of being on par with Roger Clemens when all is said and done. And I'll say the same thing about any young pitcher that is being given such comparisons with any degree of seriousness.

[VTSoxFan]

I wonder, when Clemens was coming up in the system, did people say he was going to be the next Nolan Ryan, and were others scoffing at that?

Time will tell.

[DoubleX]

I wonder, when Clemens was coming up in the system, did people say he was going to be the next Nolan Ryan, and were others scoffing at that?

Time will tell.

I can tell you one thing - Nolan Ryan was no Roger Clemens.

If people want to make the comparison, that's fine, but the chances of Papelbon having a career anywhere close to Roger Clemens are probably much less than 1%.

[leecemark]

--Clemens is a once in a generation, if not once in a lifetime pitcher. The odds are very long against anyone being "the next Roger Clemens". Every year somebody is the next all time great (pick one). 99.9% of the time they don't even come close. If I was a Sox fan I'd just be hoping he is a solid starter for now and maybe an All Star in the future. He needs to actually accomplish something and show he can repeat that something before its anything short of ridiculous to compare him to Clemens.

[CuriousBoston]

I voted yes...

I had a chance to see him first appearance Fenway. I was sold. He's ready to be a starter. I've got a really good feeling about him being a "franchise" pitcher. Note: he has younger twin brothers, now pitching at the University of North Florida.

In real life, it is too early to make this decision, perhaps call him a possible, but seeing him at Fenway decided it for me there. A group of us were comparing him to Clemens very quickly. (And hopefully.)

I like Clemens. I like Clemens in the twilight. One, two, three more "Clemens" in Boston?

[FlashGordon]

I can tell you one thing - Nolan Ryan was no Roger Clemens.

I certainly hope that is tongue in cheek. Had Nolan Ryan played for better teams over his career, he'd probably have at least one Cy Young and certainly more than 1 ring to his credit. In his time with the Angels alone, he pitched 4 no-hitters and was the A.L. strikeout leader 7 times. Clemens has 2 20K outings, but no no-no's while Ryan had 7 over his career. What's more, to catch Ryan's strikeout record, the Rocket would have to rack up 6 more 200+ K seasons. I could go on, but then I'd have to invoke pitchers like Walter Johnson.