Brent Aaron Clevlen (born October 27, 1983) is an American former professional baseballoutfielder who played parts of four major league seasons with the Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves.
Clevlen was a 2nd-round pick by the Detroit Tigers in the 2002 first-year player draft.[1] In 2005, Clevlen was named the Tigers minor league players of the year while playing for Lakeland.[2] 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 catcherJoe 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 leaguehome 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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]
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.[3]
He played in four games for the Atlanta Braves during the 2010 season before being designated for assignment on July 30.[4] Clevlen 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.[5] 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.[6] He also spent time at Triple-A Reno. He 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.
On June 17, 2013, Clevlen returned to Wichita.[7] He continued to play with Wichita in 2014 and became the American Association MVP with a slash line of .372/.447/.647 [8] and signed with the Puebla Pericos of Liga Mexicano de Beisbol for the 2015 season.
On November 16, 2018, Clevlen was announced at the manager of the Cleburne Railroaders (American Association of Independent Professional Baseball). On December 17, 2020, after two years as the manager, Clevlen was replaced by Mike Jeffcoat.
