Caleb Russell Clay (born February 15, 1988) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in the KBO League for the Hanwha Eagles. He was drafted in the 1st round of the 2006 MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox.
Clay was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the first round, with the 44th overall selection, of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft out of Cullman High School in Cullman, Alabama. He made his professional debut in 2007 with the LowâÂÂA Lowell Spinners, recording a 2.14 ERA with 9 strikeouts over 5 starts. On August 3, 2007, it was announced that Clay would require Tommy John surgery, ending his season. He made two appearances for the rookieâÂÂlevel Gulf Coast League Red Sox in 2008 as he continued his recovery from surgery.
Clay returned to regular action in 2009 with the SingleâÂÂA Greenville Drive. In 25 games (16 starts), he registered a 6âÂÂ7 record and 4.01 ERA with 67 strikeouts across 110 innings of work. Clay spent the 2010 campaign with the HighâÂÂA Salem Red Sox, compiling a 4âÂÂ13 record and 4.57 ERA with 67 strikeouts over 26 appearances (25 starts).
In 2011, Clay played for the DoubleâÂÂA Portland Sea Dogs, making 28 appearances and struggling a 7.47 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 59 innings. He returned to Portland in 2012, compiling a 4.61 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 9 saves across 34 appearances.
On November 15, 2012, Clay signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals organization. He reached TripleâÂÂA for the first time in his career that year. In 27 games (26 starts) split between the DoubleâÂÂA Harrisburg Senators and TripleâÂÂA Syracuse Chiefs, Clay accumulated an 11âÂÂ5 record and 2.96 ERA with 110 strikeouts across innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 4, 2013.
On November 10, 2013, Clay signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants organization. However, Clay signed with the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO League on December 18. In 10 starts for the Eagles in 2014, Clay struggled to a 3âÂÂ4 record and 8.33 ERA with 20 strikeouts over 40 innings pitched.
On June 21, 2014, Clay signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. On August 10, Clay was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He went unused out of the bullpen and was optioned to the minors on August 12, becoming a phantom ballplayer. The next day, Clay was removed from the 40âÂÂman roster and sent outright to the TripleâÂÂA Salt Lake Bees.
On November 20, 2014, Clay signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He spent the year with the TripleâÂÂA Reno Aces, also making one start for the DoubleâÂÂA Mobile BayBears. In 22 games (20 starts) for Reno, Clay logged an 8âÂÂ7 record and 5.25 ERA with 56 strikeouts across innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2015.