Max Clark Scouting Report

Background

Max Clark first starting drawing national attention at the 2021 World Wood Bat Association Championship when, as a sophomore, he outperformed many members of the 2022 class. He’s been considered one of the top two prep players in this draft class ever sense. He’s a plus athlete, who also played wide receiver for his football team, and he’s an outgoing, gregarious young man. Clark is also a bit of a weight room rat, and his social media accounts made him Internet famous long before he was drafted. On the field he’s a fiery competitor with supreme confidence that may rub some opponents the wrong way.

Physical description

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, but may be an inch or two shorter than. He has a lean, muscular torso, and a powerful lower half with thick, robust thighs. Overall he’s a sinewy athlete who is close to physically maxed out.

Hit – 60

Clark stands out for his hit tool. He shows an impressive ability to manipulate the barrel and attack pitches where they are thrown. His quick bat allows him to stay inside the ball and spray line drives from corner to corner, and he shows above-average pitch recognition and plate discipline.

Power – 50

Power is Clark’s lone tool that doesn’t project to be a plus. It was generally considered below average until he made a swing adjustment prior to his senior year of high school. His reworked swing showed more loft and led to an increase in power production. That improved launch angle gives him a chance to produce average home run numbers in his prime, but he should also hit doubles in bunches and speed his way into plenty of triples.

Run – 70

Clark is a plus-plus runner who gets from home to first in 4.0-4.1 seconds, and shows times in the 6.3s in the 60-yard dash. He’s an aggressive, instinctual base runner who could steal 30 or more bases a year.

Defense – 60

Clark has the speed and instincts to capably man center field at an above average level, and he has more than enough arm strength and range to be plus or better in the corners.

Arm – 65

Clark’s left arm is a true weapon that saw him reach 97 mph from the mound. His throws have good carry and accuracy from the outfield, and he likes to air it out, sometime making daring and perhaps ill-advised throws.

Overall

Max Clark’s power production will ultimately determine if he becomes a true five-tool monster. But even if plus pop never arrives, he has the hit tool, speed, and defensive potential to be a huge contributor on both sides of the ball. There’s All-Star upside here as a catalytic, top-of-the-order menace, and a realistic floor as a solid-average regular.