The Mariners have mismanaged Jeff Clement's progress to the Majors.

Welcome one and all to this week’s edition of Treasure Hunting, where we look for the undervalued treasures, the recently called up prospects, or suddenly transformed players that have begun making headlines or having a major impact on their team’s fortunes. Like Tim last week, I received the keys to the column from your usual master of ceremonies, Mark Allen Haverty. Thankfully, I too will not beat this article up like I do rental cars. , I give you two recent call-ups and what their impact may or may not be.

Jo-Jo Reyes – Pitcher – Atlanta Braves – As players adjust to every level of baseball, it is apparent that the majority will see their statistics drop initially; however, the key to a solid player is in their ability to make the adjustments, build on success, and eventually capitalize on their own abilities to overcome adversity and rise to the top.

Jo-Jo Reyes is the epitome of this progressive-growth process. Drafted directly out of high school (second round, 43^rd overall) in the 2003 MLB Draft, Reyes has found a way to rise from early difficulties at each level.

In 2003, Reyes pitched in the Gulf Coast League and went 5-3 with a 2.56 earned run average, and 55 strikeouts in 45.0 innings. In that time period, he allowed only one home run. In 2004, he underwent Tommy John surgery after struggling with a 2-5 record, with a 5.33 earned run average. With only half a season of work in 2005 due to the recovery process, Reyes was able to work his way from the Gulf Coast League to Class-A Danville. His strikeout rate tumbled below what he achieved in his first stint, though he did manage a 3-0 record with a 3.53 earned run average. Unfortunately, he ended up with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) that ended yet another chance to rise among his peers.

Reyes began showing promise again when 2006 rolled around. He posted a combined 12-5 record with an earned run average of 3.55. He continued to show that promise in 2007 with a 10-1 record, and was eventually called up to the Major Leagues after a fairly impressive start in Triple-A (2-0, 27 strikeouts in 23 innings). Although his two starts in July and September of 2007 showed that he was not quite ready, it did allow the organization the opportunity to see what they had available if the team encountered pitching issues.

I am not sure that there is a pitching staff with more issues involving injuries than the Atlanta Braves, but if you are a pitching prospect in the minors, I believe that everyone who either gets drafted by the Braves and/or is traded to the Braves must feel that they have a great shot to get to the big leagues within a two to four-year period because of all those injuries.

Reyes recently received his opportunity in 2008 to showcase his talent to the organization. On May 3^rd, Reyes went 5 1/3 innings, surrendering four hits, and one earned run all while striking out a batter an inning. The team erupted with eight runs, ultimately ensuring the young left-hander the opportunity to pitch again. In his second start this season; Reyes did not make it out of the third inning due to blisters.

Jeff Clement – Catcher – Seattle Mariners - More and more, we are seeing players that are recognized as early as the Little Leagues, who continue on the path to MLB stardom. Meet Jeff Clement. Clement was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, otherwise known as “big sky country.” He played a major part in his 1996 Little League team making it to the Little League World Series.

Since that Little League World Series appearance, Clement has broken the national high school record for homeruns by a high school student (75), led his high school team to the Iowa state championships (4-A), was featured in Sports Illustrated in 2002 (19-years old), played on the U.S. National Team as a Southern California University freshmen, earned a 2004 Baseball America Preseason All American first team selection, and was a 2005 semi-finalist for the Johnny Bench Award as a sophomore. In 2005 (junior), he would eventually win the Johnny Bench Award as the top catcher.

The number three pick overall in the 2005 draft, Jeff Clement appears to be one of many recent draft picks that have defied the years of poor drafting by the organization. He was selected among many names that are recognized in baseball today, including the number one (Alex Gordo) and two picks (Justin Upton), and drafted before the likes of Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and now Double-A outfielder Cameron Maybin. When you consider that there are players picked after him that are all making an impact in baseball, such as Ryan Braun (No. 5), Jacoby Ellsbury (No. 23) and now Tampa Bay Rays starter Matt Garza (No. 25), it appears that Clement is for real.

What is impressive about Clement is that he possesses excellent defensive skills behind the plate, and excellent plate discipline, including both power and the ability to go the other way (with power). He also has the great base-running skills that assist in his ability to make plays on the base paths (similar to Russell Martin, only a little slower) that adds to his rare talents and ability.

Then why is he only getting the call-up now, you ask? The answer is simple - Kenji Johjima. To put it bluntly, the team has mishandled Clement and his future because they have a solid catcher talking up his future home as a Major League starter. With only limited playing time in the Majors, there are still questions about his ability to affectively throw out runners, as well as his ability to move laterally to keep the ball in front of him, but without that experience, I simply do not agree.