Detroit Tigers set to promote top prospect Max Clark
The Tigers plan to add 21-year-old outfielder Max Clark to the major-league roster after a strong stretch in Triple-A, requiring a corresponding 40-man roster move.
Detroit is preparing to promote outfield prospect Max Clark, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 draft and currently ranked 16th among prospects by Baseball America. Clark is not on the 40-man roster, so the club will need to select his contract and make a corresponding roster adjustment before the move becomes official.
In Triple-A, Clark posted a .276/.368/.434 line with 10 home runs and 21 steals over 413 plate appearances, and his performance surged in the last six weeks, where he hit .328/.427/.523 with a 155 wRC+ in 32 games. He maintained a 13.3% walk rate and an equal strikeout rate during that span, and hit six of his ten season home runs in that period.
Scouts describe Clark as a plus-plus runner with a solid hit tool and at least average power, noting his defensive range in center field and a strong throwing arm suitable for right field. They compare his bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline to fellow Tigers prospect Kevin McGonigle, while pointing out that he tends to hit ground balls against left-handed pitching, an area the team plans to develop.
The promotion is unlikely to give Clark a full season of major-league service time, limiting his eligibility for rookie awards and prospect promotion incentives. If the call-up is brief, he may retain rookie status for the following season.