Written By: Ryan Patota 

Image Courtesy MLB Pipeline

The future shines bright in the Motor City as the young Detroit Tigers continue to build with new stars every day. After making the playoffs on an incredible run at the end of last season, the team is positioned to make another run in the AL Central this season. The newest Tiger, OF Max Clark, is ready to make a difference and help the Tigers to the next step.

Clark was drafted right out of high school in Indiana, where he gained attention and showcased his skills as an outfielder and pitcher. As a sophomore, Clark was named the Indiana Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year after batting .450 with six home runs and 31 stolen bases alongside posting a 0.84 ERA in 150 IP. He would win the award once again in his Junior year, batting .577 with nine homers. He earned a spot on Team USA in the 2021 WBSC U-18 World Cup. Clark led the team to a gold medal with his .294 batting average in 8 games.

With the pressure of being a top high school baseball prospect going into the MLB Draft, Clark exceeded expectations with a .646 average, six homers, and 33 RBI in his senior season. He commented in July 2023 about giving everything he’s got as he begins his professional career.

“Playing 110 percent, playing with a smile, playing with flair, that’s what makes me happy,” Clark remarked to MLB Network’s Jonathan Mayo. “Because I love the game, this game has given me so much.”

The young outfielder was drafted third overall in 2023 by the Tigers and came right out of the gate with the bat as he split time between the Rookie-level Florida Complex League and Single-A Lakeland. In 23 games, he posted a .224 batting average with two homers and 19 RBI. He also showed off his speed with 5 stolen bases. Clark’s approach to the plate clicked while making his way through Single A. 

During the 2024 season, Clark started with a .286 batting average in 73 games, stealing 26 bases with seven homers. This performance led to a promotion to High-A West Michigan, where he notched a .264 average in 32 games to finish off the season, including 5 multi-hit hit outings. 

With last season being his longest to date, this gave Max Clark the ability to transition into professional baseball and approach success, consistently playing in 107 games. The Tigers will remain supported to the structure of a healthy workload for Clark even if that means keeping him in the minor league system.

“If we think there are players that can benefit from being on the minor-league side and staying focused on their development goals and preparing for their second full pro season, we’re going to keep them on the minor-league side,” commented Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris in February.

There is promise for the 20-year-old outfielder with his speed and defense, making him stay in center field long-term while his offensive development will determine how far he goes. Looking ahead, Max Clark is slated to participate in the MLB Spring Breakout series where the Tigers’ top prospects will face the Atlanta Braves on March 16. This event will provide him with a platform to showcase his talents against other prospects. 

Clark is expected to start the season in High-A West Michigan with potential to get promoted to Double-A Erie. His plate discipline and speed remain his standout tools, but power development will be a key focus moving forward.