LAKELAND, Fla. -- The late innings of a Spring Training game can become an intersection of small sample sizes. On one side, top prospects might be trying to make an impression with the at-bats they get in a big league camp that can be more learning experience than proving grounds. On the other side, well-traveled players can be trying to make the best of a new situation, maybe trying to prove they’re back from an injury, maybe trying to prove they’re deserving of a better chance than they received at a previous stop.
On Sunday, that intersection brought together two friends and ex-teammates with the game on the line.
While Max Clark is one of baseball’s top prospects, No. 10 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100, Andrew Magno is a lefty reliever with a fresh start with the Orioles after spending seven seasons in the Tigers' organization, including parts of the past four years with Double-A Erie. One of Magno’s teammates last season in Erie was Clark, a midseason promotion from High-A West Michigan.
So when Clark stepped to the plate with the tying run on third and two outs in the ninth inning, he had to smile at fate. The left-handed hitter had to face a lefty reliever, but one he has known since his pro career began.
“One of my first days in camp with the Tigers [in 2024], I faced him,” Clark said, noting a matchup in live batting practice in Minor League camp. “And then I faced him throughout two or three years I've been here.”
This time, it counted -- well, in the Grapefruit League, at least. It was No. 94 versus No. 84 with the game hanging in the balance. Compared to a day earlier, when Clark said his legs “felt like absolute cement” for the Tigers’ Grapefruit League opener against the Yankees and fell back on some bad habits at the plate, he felt more at ease Sunday.
“I mean, honestly, it's nice to just see guys around the league that you've played with,” Clark said. “[Magno] was an incredible teammate in Erie. He has a really good arm, too. There aren't many flaws in his game. I went in, and I've faced him a bunch throughout my tenure, so it was nice to at least know the repertoire, what he was going to do. And I had [Tigers No. 3 prospect Josue] Briceño [in front of] me, so he'd probably pitch to him the same way as me, left on left. It was nice to watch [Magno face Briceño] and know him.”
Magno tried to take advantage of Clark’s adrenaline with a first-pitch slider in the dirt, but Clark didn't bite. Knowing the situation, Clark could stay disciplined. As thrilling as a walkoff homer might be, a simple base hit extends the game. A walk -- Clark had 94 of them last season -- would pass the baton to right-handed hitter Corey Julks.
Magno came back with a fastball over the plate, and Clark sent it over shortstop and into left field, an oppo single that allowed John Peck -- who began the rally with a one-out walk -- to stroll home from third.
“I got a pitch I liked,” Clark said.
It was the final inning of a Spring Training game that wasn’t going to extra innings and ended in a 4-4 tie, but it meant plenty to Clark.
“Oh, I feel adrenaline regardless,” he said. “It's a big spot. I want the moment. I mean, you guys can tell that. So it was nice to go out there and complete the job, obviously, especially against a left-handed pitcher. It was a good time.”
It was one of the small victories manager A.J. Hinch cited after the game.
“It’s still a big moment when you’re up to bat with the game on the line,” Hinch said. “It’s nice to see him put a good swing on it.”
Magno recovered to retire Julks and salvage the tie. As the Tigers and Orioles walked off the field after the game, headed together toward the exit in the right-field corner, Clark made a point to find Magno and catch up before he got on the bus to head back to O’s camp. It says a lot about both players.
“We love him,” Hinch said of Clark. “He’s clearly established himself as somebody who’s really exciting and has a ton of talent, a ton of confidence. Day by day, he’s going to learn a lot in this camp, being around all of our guys. He’s not afraid.”