Emmanuel Clase

Lore & Background

Clase signed with the San Diego Padres as an international free agent on February 11, 2015, for a $125,000 signing bonus. He played in the Padres' minor league system before being traded to the Texas Rangers on May 7, 2018. He made his MLB debut with the Rangers on August 4, 2019. On December 15, 2019, the Rangers traded Clase and Delino DeShields Jr. to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Corey Kluber and cash considerations. Clase was suspended for 80 games on May 1, 2020, after testing positive for Boldenone, a banned performance-enhancing substance. He became Cleveland's main closer in 2021. With Cleveland, Clase has been named an All-Star and led the American League in saves three times, was named AL Reliever of the Year in 2022 and 2024, and is the franchise's all-time save leader. Since July 2025, Clase has been on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of a league investigation into sports betting. In November 2025, he was federally indicted and arrested in relation to the investigation.

In Their Own Story

The lights at Progressive Field hummed their low, electric hum as the eighth inning wound down. The scoreboard read 3-2, and the crowd—still in their flannel shirts and beanies despite the late-summer warmth—had settled into that particular Guardians tension, the kind where every breath feels like it might break something. The manager walked to the mound, tapped the pitcher on the shoulder, and the bullpen erupted. The crowd knew the name before the announcer did. Arched back, arms swinging like a metronome set to a samba, he delivered. The ball left the glove at a speed that made the catcher's eyes widen a fraction. The batter swung. The bat broke. And the stadium detonated. He did not look at the scoreboard. He did not need to. He pointed at the third-base side, at the fans who had been standing since the seventh, and let out a sound that was half roar, half laugh. The night belonged to them.

Reader's Guide

Clase throws an upper 90s/low 100s mph cut fastball and a low 90s slider. He has demonstrated an exceptional ability to control his pitches despite throwing at such a high velocity, averaging just 1.8 walks per 9 innings as of the source article.

Did You Know?

• Clase led the American League in saves three times.
• He was named AL Reliever of the Year in 2022 and 2024.
• He is the Cleveland franchise's all-time save leader.