Clark offers praise for Minors teammate Springer

HOUSTON -- Catcher Cody Clark has adjusted to life in the Major Leagues after spending the previous 11 years in the Minors, but he's still keeping tabs on his former teammates at Triple-A Oklahoma City, which has clinched a playoff berth.

He talks often with No. 3 prospect George Springer, an outfielder, and pitcher Jason Stoffel, both of whom were his roommates in the Minors.

"I talked to them a few nights ago and offered them congratulations on winning, and I really hope they can win the whole thing and give me a [championship] ring," said Clark, who was called up Aug. 23 when Max Stassi went on the disabled list with a concussion.

Clark was on playoff teams 10 times in his 11 years in the Minor Leagues and won three league titles along the way.

As far as the talents of Springer are concerned, Clark compared him to Rays outfielder Wil Myers, who he played with at Triple-A Omaha last year in the Royals organization. Springer was hitting a combined .305 with 37 homers, 107 RBIs and 44 stolen bases combined at Double-A Corpus Christi and Oklahoma City with three games remaining.

"He's got unbelievable ability," Clark said. "I played this game a long time and had been in the Major Leagues a long time and I haven't really seen that ability. The only guy I could maybe compare him to was Wil Myers, who was with us last year. Very similar players. Springer can run better than Wil. As far as power and the way they swing the bat, those two guys are better than everybody else I've seen."