Clarke makes 'maybe the best play I’ve ever seen in person' in A's win over Orioles

WEST SACRAMENTO -- Add another insane catch to the rapidly growing highlight reel of Athletics rookie center fielder Denzel Clarke.

Showing zero regard for his own safety, or that of the outfield wall at Sutter Health Park, Clarke ran full speed in the fourth inning of the A's 5-4 win over the Orioles and crashed into the fence in left-center to chase down a deep drive hit by Jorge Mateo.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Clarke, ranked the A’s No. 6 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, looked more like a running back as he raced over from his spot in center to make the play.

“I always have a gauge of where the wall is at, how fast I’m going and what I’m going to need to do,” Clarke said. “I know we have a big warning track here, so as I’m approaching the wall, I’m like, ‘I have one extra step here. I can either go take it or play this off the wall.’ I decided to go make the play. I put my body on the line, and I’m happy it held up for the win today.”

On the mound, starter JP Sears jumped in the air as he watched Clarke slam into the wall, then went down on one knee with a look of disbelief.

“Easily the best catch anybody has ever made when I’m pitching,” Sears said. “It’s just unreal. … Most guys probably lean back there when they get close to the wall. Definitely one of the best plays, maybe the best play I’ve ever seen in person.”

Clarke’s sensational catch came at a pivotal moment. Not only did he rob Mateo of extra bases, but he also likely prevented the tying and possibly go-ahead runs from scoring as the Orioles had runners on first and second at the time.

“There's not a lot of guys that make that play,” said Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino. “That's a dynamite play. It's incredible. It's a game-changing play. … It was really good."

Clarke remained on the ground for a few moments to collect himself after making impact with the wall, getting checked on by left fielder JJ Bleday and shortstop Jacob Wilson before jogging back to the A’s dugout, where he received a hero’s welcome from his teammates and a standing ovation from the home crowd.

It was a display of total recklessness that left manager Mark Kotsay -- who compared Clarke to a former teammate and seven-time Gold Glove winner, Devon White -- in awe.

“It’s a fearless mentality to play the outfield like that,” Kotsay said. “You don’t see a lot of players these days willing to sacrifice the way he did tonight. It’s a game-saving catch and, in my opinion, equal to a three-run homer. We talk a lot about the kid’s ability to play center field and be one of the best. He showed that tonight.”

Two innings later, however, Clarke was replaced by Seth Brown in center field and exited the game with what the A’s announced as a left shoulder contusion. After the game, Kotsay said Clarke is day to day as they wait to see how he feels on Saturday.

Clarke, who felt some discomfort in his fifth-inning at-bat before leaving the game in the sixth, said his shoulder was “feeling all right” in the aftermath.

“I feel better now that we won,” Clarke said. “Everything is good. Honestly, it feels strong and feels like it’s holding up pretty good.”

The scouting report on Clarke rated his defense as Gold Glove-caliber at the time of his callup on May 23, and he has lived up to that reputation early on with several defensive gems. Returning to his hometown of Toronto for the first time as a big leaguer last week, Clarke also made a phenomenal home run robbery on Alejandro Kirk by scaling the center-field wall at Rogers Centre to bring one back with a leaping grab.

Just 14 games into his Major League career, Clarke is already climbing the leaderboards as one of the top defensive outfielders in baseball. Entering Friday, his six outs above average were tied for fourth-most among all MLB center fielders.

“The way he glides and covers ground, it’s pretty impressive,” Kotsay said. “It doesn’t surprise me that he’s in the league lead. … I hope it’s not a significant injury, because I can’t wait to get him back out there and watch him continue to just accelerate and be probably the best defensive center fielder in the league.”