Emmanuel Clase, born on March 18, 1998, is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who currently pitches for the Cleveland Guardians in Major League Baseball (MLB). He started his journey in the baseball world in 2015, when he signed as an international free agent with the San Diego Padres. Clase then had a stint with the Texas Rangers, where he made his MLB debut on August 4, 2019.
However, his career has not been without controversy. In 2020, Clase was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for Boldenone, a banned performance-enhancing substance. His suspension was lifted at the conclusion of the shortened 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite this setback, Clase returned to the MLB stronger, proving his worth as a formidable player. In the 2021 season, he returned to the Indians’ bullpen, where he excelled, especially in August when he converted all six save opportunities and held opposing batters to an .095 average, earning him the title of AL Reliever of the Month. His remarkable performance resulted in a five-year, $20 million extension with the Cleveland Guardians in 2022.
Explore the comprehensive bio of Emmanuel Clase, including his early career, journey with the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians/Guardians, contract details, trade information, WBC involvement, MLB stats breakdown, performance analysis, personal life, frequently asked questions, and more. Learn about his pitching style, blown saves, and the story behind his transition to the Guardians. Discover interesting facts about his height, weight, age, family background, nationality, and ethnicity.
Table of Contents
Emmanuel Clase Bio/Wiki Table
| Full name | Emmanuel Clase |
| Nick name | Clase |
| Profession | Dominican professional baseball player |
| Height in cm and m | 188 cm or 1.88 m |
| Height in feet inches | 6 feet 2 inches |
| Weight in kg | 93 kg |
| Weight in Ibs | 205 lbs |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Hair Style | Small |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Date of Birth | 1998-03-18 |
| Age | 25 years (as of 2023) |
| Birth Place | Río San Juan, Dominican Republic |
| Nationality | Dominican |
| Bat style | Right |
| Throws | Right |
| Win–loss record | 10–16 |
| Earned run average | 1.68 |
| Strikeouts | 201 |
| MLB debut | August 4, 2019, for the Texas Rangers |
| Teams in Club career | Texas Rangers (2019) Cleveland Indians / Guardians (2021–present) |
| National team | Dominican National team (assuming due to his nationality) |
| Contract | $20,000,000 USD |
| Salary | $4,000,000 million USD |
| Net worth | $4.5 million USD |
| Marital Status | Single |
Early Career
Emmanuel Clase began his professional baseball journey when he signed with the San Diego Padres as an international free agent on February 11, 2015, for a signing bonus of $125,000. He started his career playing for the Dominican Summer League (DSL) Padres in 2015. During this season, he showed promising performance, going 2–1 with a 1.99 ERA in 54 innings.
Over the next couple of years, Clase continued to gain experience and hone his skills. In 2016, he played for the Arizona League (AZL) Padres, where he achieved a record of 2–0 with a 4.01 ERA over 24+2⁄3 innings. In 2017, he continued with the AZL Padres (2) and finished the season with a 2–4 record and a 5.30 ERA in 35+2⁄3 innings. He also played one game with the Tri-City Dust Devils of the Class A Short Season Northwest League, during which he allowed 5 runs in 3+1⁄3 innings.
Emmanuel Clase & Texas Rangers
On May 7, 2018, the Padres traded Clase to the Texas Rangers as part of a deal for Brett Nicholas. He was assigned to the Spokane Indians of the Class A Short Season Northwest League, and finished the 2018 season with a 1–1 record, a 0.64 ERA, 27 strikeouts, and 12 saves in 28+1⁄3 innings. He began the 2019 season with the Down East Wood Ducks of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League, where he appeared in 6 games, going 2–0 with a 0.00 ERA, 1 save, and 11 strikeouts in 7 innings. On April 23, he was promoted to the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Texas League, finishing with a 1–2 record and a 3.35 ERA over 37+2⁄3 innings.
On August 2, 2019, the Rangers promoted Clase to MLB, and he made his MLB debut on August 4, pitching 1+2⁄3 scoreless innings. He ended his 2019 season with a 2–3 record, a 2.31 ERA, and 21 strikeouts over 23+1⁄3 innings. His cutter had an average speed of 99.2 miles per hour, the fastest in MLB.
Emmanuel Clase & Cleveland Indians / Guardians
On December 15, 2019, the Rangers traded Clase and Delino DeShields Jr. to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Corey Kluber and cash considerations. However, Clase was suspended for 80 games on May 1, 2020, after testing positive for Boldenone, a banned PED. His suspension was lifted at the end of the shortened 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Returning to the Indians’ bullpen for the 2021 season, Clase had an exceptional performance in August, converting all six save opportunities and holding opposing batters to an .095 average. His performance earned him the title of AL Reliever of the Month.
On April 2, 2022, Clase agreed to a five-year $20 million extension with the Cleveland Guardians, which had previously been the Cleveland Indians. He continued his strong performance in July 2022, being named to his first All-Star team and helping the American League secure a 3–2 victory at Dodger Stadium by pitching the ninth inning and striking out the side.
In the 2022 season, Clase had a 3–4 record with a 1.36 ERA in 72.2 innings and led MLB in saves, compiling 42 in 46 opportunities.
Emmanuel Clase Contract
Emmanuel Clase has signed a 5-year contract with the Cleveland Guardians, valued at $20,000,000, which includes a $2,000,000 signing bonus. The annual average salary stands at $4,000,000, with guaranteed payments totaling $20,000,000. Clase’s base pay for 2023 is $1,500,000, leading to a total income of $1,900,000. In the subsequent years, his income is set at $2.5 million in 2024, $4.5 million in 2025, and $6 million in 2026. The Guardians have a club option for 2027 and a team option for 2028, both valued at $10 million, with respective buyouts of $2 million and $10 million.
In the event of a trade, Clase will receive a $1 million assignment bonus. His wages in 2027 and 2028 may increase based on his performance from 2022 to 2026, with additional bonuses for high game or innings counts and awards earned. Potential escalators could increase his earnings by up to $3 million. Despite a setback in the 2020 season due to performance-enhancing substance use, Clase’s rookie performance was impressive, with 74 strikeouts in 69 2/3 innings and 24 saves with a 1.29 ERA.
| Year | Base Pay | Total Income | Club/Team Option | Buyout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1,500,000 | $1,900,000 | – | – |
| 2024 | $2,500,000 | – | – | – |
| 2025 | $4,500,000 | – | – | – |
| 2026 | $6,000,000 | – | – | – |
| 2027 | – | – | $10,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| 2028 | – | – | $10,000,000 | $10,000,000 |
Emmanuel Clase Trade Details
Emmanuel Clase was traded from the Texas Rangers to the Cleveland Guardians (formerly known as the Cleveland Indians) in a deal involving Corey Kluber. The trade was announced on December 15, 2019. In return for Kluber, the Rangers received right-handed reliever Emmanuel Clase and outfielder Delino DeShields, Jr.
The Rangers assumed the entirety of Kluber’s $17.5MM obligation, but they also received $500K in cash considerations to cover half of the $1MM assignment bonus owed to Kluber. Clase, a fastball-slider reliever, had made his MLB debut in 2019 and turned in 23.1 innings of 2.31 ERA ball. He came with six seasons of team control and was seen as a long-term bullpen asset for the Guardians.
This trade was part of the Rangers’ strategy to strengthen their starting rotation, while for the Guardians, it was a move to clear some money from their books. The trade also brought in two MLB-ready pieces, suggesting that the Guardians were hoping to make another run at a winnable AL Central in 2020.
Emmanuel Clase WBC
José Ramírez and Emmanuel Clase, both All-Stars and players for the Cleveland Guardians, were not included in the roster for the Dominican Republic team for the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Both players had been rumored to be under consideration for spots on the team. However, when the rosters were revealed, the only Cleveland player to appear on the Dominican Republic roster was right-handed reliever Enyel De Los Santos. De Los Santos is listed under the Dominican’s designated pitchers pool and can be added in later rounds should his team advance.
Emmanuel Clase MLB Stats
Emmanuel Clase, a prominent figure in Major League Baseball (MLB), has been making waves with his impressive stats year after year. This Dominican professional baseball pitcher, currently playing for the Cleveland Guardians, has shown a consistent performance that has caught the attention of baseball enthusiasts and experts alike.
Emmanuel Clase’s MLB Stats: A Yearly Breakdown
Here’s a year-by-year breakdown of Emmanuel Clase’s MLB stats:
| Year | Team | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Texas Rangers | 2 | 3 | 2.31 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 23.1 | 21 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 21 |
| 2021 | Cleveland Guardians | 4 | 5 | 1.29 | 67 | 0 | 24 | 69.1 | 40 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 65 |
| 2022 | Cleveland Guardians | 2 | 5 | 2.67 | 70 | 0 | 29 | 70.2 | 55 | 21 | 21 | 6 | 18 | 80 |
| 2023 | Cleveland Guardians | 1 | 2 | 2.45 | 30 | 0 | 15 | 29.1 | 22 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 35 |
Emmanuel Clase’s Performance Analysis
Emmanuel Clase’s MLB career started with the Texas Rangers in 2019, where he recorded 2 wins and 3 losses with an ERA of 2.31. He played 21 games that year, showcasing his potential as a promising pitcher.
In 2021, Clase moved to the Cleveland Guardians and made a significant impact. He recorded 4 wins and 5 losses with an impressive ERA of 1.29. He also saved 24 games, indicating his reliability as a closing pitcher.
Clase continued his strong performance in 2022, recording 2 wins and 5 losses with an ERA of 2.67. He played in 70 games and saved 29, further establishing his role as a dependable closer for the Guardians.
As of mid-2023, Clase has maintained a solid performance with an ERA of 2.45. He has already saved 15 games, demonstrating his consistent performance as a closer.
Emmanuel Clase Girlfriend
Emmanuel Clase, the professional baseball pitcher, has not made any public announcement about his relationship status. Currently, it is assumed that he is not dating anyone.
Emmanuel Clase Jersey
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So, Emmanuel is presently a Pitcher with the Guardians, where he wears jersey number 48.
Emmanuel Clase Height & Weight
Standing at a height of 1.88m (6-2) and weighing 93 kg (206 lb), Emmanuel Clase is an imposing figure on the baseball field.
Emmanuel Clase Age
Emmanuel Clase, born on March 18, 1998, is a 25-year-old professional baseball pitcher from Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic. He currently plays for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball (MLB). Clase began his career in the MLB when he made his debut in 2019 with the Texas Rangers at the age of 21. A dynamic player, Clase has a promising career ahead of him in the MLB and has already made significant strides in his performance over the past few years.
Emmanuel Clase Parents, Family & Siblings
Emmanuel Clase was born and raised in the Dominican Republic’s Rio San Juan by his parents. The details about his parents and siblings have not been made public. His family tends to stay out of the spotlight, and Clase himself hasn’t said much about them either,
Emmanuel Clase Nationality & Ethnicity
Emmanuel Clase is of Dominican nationality. His ethnic background is not explicitly mentioned, but he was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, which is predominantly of mixed African, European, and Indigenous Taino descent
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emmanuel Clase a good actor?
There’s no information about Emmanuel Clase’s acting abilities. He is a professional baseball player, not a known actor.
What does Emmanuel Clase throw?
Emmanuel Clase primarily throws a Cutter (63% of his pitches) and a Slider (36.6%), with a 4-Seam Fastball being used occasionally (0.4%).
How many blown saves does Clase have?
As of a certain point in the 2023 season, Emmanuel Clase had five blown saves.
Why was Clase put on hold?
Emmanuel Clase was suspended for 80 games in May 2020 after testing positive for Boldenone, a banned performance-enhancing drug.
How did Clase end up at Guardians?
Emmanuel Clase ended up with the Cleveland Guardians after being traded by the Texas Rangers in December 2019. The Rangers traded Clase and Delino DeShields Jr. to the Guardians in exchange for Corey Kluber and cash considerations.
What is Emmanuel Clase’s hand?
Emmanuel Clase is a right-handed pitcher, meaning he both throws and bats with his right hand.
