Jeff Clement's time is coming with M's, but when?

PEORIA, Ariz. — That swing, a sweet, slight uppercut that ripples with power. That pop in his bat, as obvious as a knockout punch. That muscular left-handed cut that seems ideally tailored for Safeco Field.

Last September, after the playoff race had been lost and the Mariners were taking a sneak peek into their future, Jeff Clement stated his case.

In the second game of a doubleheader against Cleveland, he hit a tying, ninth-inning home run off Joe Borowski. The Mariners won that game in the 10th.

Two nights later, Clement's two-run, walkoff home run off Mike Wood beat the Texas Rangers.

In nine games and 16 at-bats, he hit .375, drove in three runs and because of his power and sense of the dramatic, Clement became the people's choice.

"To get an opportunity and to have some success, was great," said Clement before Monday's workout. "I'm not going to read too much into it, or too little into it. I was happy that when I got the opportunity, I did all right. It was a few at-bats and it went well. That's all."

Clement was muscle. He was drama. He was clutch. He was exciting.

A city that has been looking for the logical successor to Edgar Martinez at designated hitter thought it might have discovered him in Jeff Clement.

"Obviously I want to play in the big leagues," Clement, 24, said. "That's always been my goal from a very young age. That's all I'm shooting for and I'll let whatever happens, happen. There's not much more to say than that."

But the theme this season for Clement, and for his fans, is patience.

Unless your name is Felix Hernandez, the Mariners are notoriously cautious with their prospects. And manager John McLaren's plan is to give Clement a full season as the starting catcher at Class AAA Tacoma.

McLaren said he believes Clement can be the Mariners' everyday catcher of the future. The contract of this year's starter, Kenji Johjima, expires after this season.

"His work ethic reminds me of a young Jason Varitek," catching coordinator Roger Hansen said. "With Jason it was always more, more, more. Finally, we'd just have to say, 'That's enough, Jason. Go home. We'll do it again tomorrow.' Jeff's the same way. Sometimes you have to back Jeff off.

"He's maturing. Sometimes he used to get a little distracted behind the plate and you can't do that. He's improved in all the aspects of catching, but seeing him staying in better focus on what he can control and do. That's been the best part to watch."

Barring a catastrophe — Jose Vidro was hit in the knee Sunday by a pitch from Ryan Rowland-Smith and was sore on Monday — Vidro will be the designated hitter, in the two hole, again this year.

McLaren doesn't believe a veteran should lose his job in spring training. And Vidro hit .314 in 548 at-bats last season. But Vidro is 33, and had only six home runs and 59 runs batted in.

"I think we've said that we don't want to use him as an extra guy. That he's got to play regular," McLaren said of Clement. "I don't see a regular spot right now. Not that there can't be one. I think at some point he will be a force. He's got definite juice.

"I'm not going to put myself on the spot, to commit myself and make it interesting. Spring training means something, but last season means something, too. We like Vidro and what he brings to the table. I thought he did a real good job for us last year. And with that said, he's our DH at this point."

The Mariners thought enough of Clement, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2005 draft, that they kept him away from the Baltimore Orioles during the trade discussions for Erik Bedard. Keeping Clement and right-hander Brandon Morrow was an important part of completing that deal.

"I'm just happy to have a uniform on, but this being my third spring here, I'm feeling much more comfortable," Clement said. "I feel like I'm a better baseball player. Feel like I've grown up a lot. I'm learning how to play."

Clement's day is coming. Maybe not as fast as the fans would like, but fast enough for him to be in the opening day lineup — who knows, maybe as early as 2009.

A good catcher, like a good golf swing, shouldn't be rushed.

Steve Kelley: 206-464-2176 or skelley@seattletimes.com