Denzel Clarke
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Denzel Clarke | |
|---|---|
| Athletics – No. 1 | |
| Center fielder | |
| Born: May 1, 2000 Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 23, 2025, for the Athletics | |
| MLB statistics (through April 19, 2026) | |
| Batting average | .214 |
| Home runs | 3 |
| Runs batted in | 14 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Denzel Leslie Clarke (born May 1, 2000) is a Canadian professional baseball center fielder for the Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Cal State Northridge Matadors. Clarke was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB draft and made his MLB debut with the Athletics in 2025.
College career
Clarke was selected by the New York Mets in the 36th round of the 2018 MLB draft, but he chose not to sign a professional contract with the team. Instead, he played college baseball for the Cal State Northridge Matadors. Clarke's college career spanned three seasons from 2019 to 2021.[3][4] In 2019, Clarke played summer league baseball with the Kokomo Jackrabbits of the Northwoods League.[5]
Professional career
Draft and minor leagues
After a three-season college baseball career at Cal State Northridge, Clarke was selected 127th overall by the Oakland Athletics in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB draft.[1] He signed with the team and made his professional debut with the ACL Athletics. Clarke started the 2022 season with the Single-A Stockton Ports before being promoted to the High-A Lansing Lugnuts.[6] In July, he was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game during MLB All-Star Week.[7] Clarke finished the 2022 season batting a combined .248/.365/.469 with 15 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases in 93 games. He spent the 2023 season with the Double-A Midland RockHounds, batting .261/.381/.496 with 12 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases in 64 games.[8] Clarke remained with the RockHounds for the 2024 season, batting .269/.339/.446 with 13 home runs, 53 RBIs, and 36 stolen bases in 116 games. After the 2024 season, the Athletics added Clarke to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[9] He was optioned to the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators to begin the 2025 season.[10] Clarke batted .286/.436/.419 with 21 RBIs and seven stolen bases in 31 games for the Aviators before being called up to the MLB by the Athletics on May 23, 2025.[11]
Athletics (2025–present)
Clarke made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on May 23, 2025.[11] He hit his first career home run on May 31, against his hometown team, the Toronto Blue Jays, at Rogers Centre.[12] Clarke became a standout center fielder during his rookie season after several notable wall climbs, robbing batters of home runs.[13]
International career
Clarke has represented Canada internationally multiple times. He played on the U-18 national team during the 2017 Baseball World Cup, where Canada finished fourth.[14] Clarke has also twice played for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic, in 2023[14] and 2026.[15]