Brent Clevlen, Class of 2002
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Brent Aaron Clevlen (born October 27, 1983) is an American professional baseball outfielder who has played parts of four major leagues seasons with the Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves and is now managing for the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association. The AA is an independent baseball league, and is not affiliated with any MLB team. In 2017 He was named the manager of the Wichita Wingnuts. He will manage in the 2018 season. After playing Designated hitter and 1st base for the team in the 2017 season. .
Personal life
Clevlen graduated from Westwood High School in 2002. He is married and has a one-year-old son.
Major leagues
Clevlen was a 2nd-round pick by the Detroit Tigers in the 2002 first-year player draft. He made his Major League debut on July 30, 2006, in a 6–4 loss to the Minnesota Twins. He started at center field in his first game. His first catch in the field was intended to be a sacrifice fly by Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer, but ended up being an inning-ending double play, as Clevlen threw out Luis Castillo at home plate. In his first MLB at bat, he doubled off Twins ace Johan Santana.
On August 1, 2006, in his second Major League game, Clevlen hit his first major league home run against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 5th inning off pitcher Travis Harper. He later added another home run in the 9th inning off pitcher Ruddy Lugo going 3-for-5 for the night, with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI.
Clevlen was optioned down to the Tiger's AAA-affiliate Toledo Mud Hens later in the 2006 season as Alexis Gómez emerged as a valuable bench player. Tigers manager Jim Leyland has stated that Clevlen would benefit from playing every day in Toledo, and remains second in the team's depth chart for center field. Following the season, Clevlen was named the third-best prospect and rated as possessing the best outfield arm in the Tigers' organization by Baseball America.
In 2007, Brent was called up when the Detroit Tigers expanded their rosters.
In 2008, Clevlen was called up in place of injured Clete Thomas, but returned to Toledo when Thomas was reactivated.
On July 31, 2010, he played in for games for the Atlanta Braves and then was designated for assignment and became a free agent at the end of the season.
Clevlen was to start the season with the independent Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association, but was purchased by the Cincinnati Reds on May 9, 2011. He was returned to Wichita after playing in 26 games for Triple-A Louisville. After playing in 46 games for Wichita, Clevlen was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies and was assigned to Double-A Reading. In all of 2011 (104 games), Clevlen hit .303 with 19 HR and 62 RBI.
On April 19, 2012, Clevlen signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and was assigned to Double-A Mobile. He also spent time at Triple-A Reno. He also began 2013 in the Diamondbacks organization, splitting time with Mobile and Reno before being released. Over those 2 seasons (152 games), Clevlen hit .265 with 19 HR and 77 RBI in 523 PA.
