Tigers' top prospect Clark shows off pop at Triple-A with two VERY different homers
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Max Clark sports four tools graded 60 or higher. Over the past two days, his fifth tool -- power -- has been the one making some noise.
MLB’s No. 7 prospect launched the longest homer of his professional career in Triple-A Toledo’s 10-2 victory over Iowa at Principal Park on Wednesday. The wallop left Clark’s bat at 108 mph and traveled 420 feet, per Statcast, clearing everything beyond the right-field wall and bouncing on the concourse. It was his second homer in as many games and his fourth of the season.
The big fly came on the heels of a jack on Tuesday night that was unique in its own right. With Toledo sporting a double-digit lead in the eighth inning, and catcher Casey Opitz (Cubs) on the mound for Iowa, the Tigers' top prospect put a charge into a 35.8 mph eephus pitch and sent it over the right-field wall.
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Clark is known for his speed and knack for getting on base, but both of his recent homers showed off his strength as well. Wednesday’s long ball tied for the fourth-longest and seventh hardest-hit homer by a Mud Hens hitter this season.
Tuesday's homer was a different kind of impressive. With the pitch coming in at a snail's pace, Clark had to tap into a significant amount of power to loft it over the wall. Only two homers have been hit on a slower pitch since Statcast started tracking Minor League games in 2021. In other words, Clark put every bit of his 50-grade pop into the ball.
Beyond the homers, the 2023 first-rounder has come as advertised in the leadoff spot for Toledo. He has reached base in 19 of his past 20 contests and scored 19 runs over the span. His 37 runs and 55 hits both rank second among Tigers Minor Leaguers.
All told, Clark has compiled a slash line of .263/.350/.402 with 12 steals across 52 games, walking 27 times compared to 36 strikeouts this season. The Indiana native profiles as a true table-setter and could serve as a force at the top of Detroit’s order in the near future.