Denzel Clarke was drafted by the Athletics in 2021 and after another full season with the Midland RockHounds, the Double A affiliate is now part of the 40-Man Roster. With spring training in full swing Clarke is ready to be productive. “Getting back with the team again, connecting with the guys,” is what he says he most looks forward to.
The outfielder spoke about what spring training means to him, “Going out and getting the work in every day.”
Denzel Clarke Led The Texas League With Eight Triples
Clarke had career highs in numerous categories in 2024 and led the Texas League with eight triples. Like all players he does want to improve his all-around game, specifically “hitting, baserunning, fielding, and being a good teammate.” Clarke said he wants to get better in every aspect of the game.
Clark Played In AL Futures Game and Hit Inside The Park Homers On Back-2-Back Nights
2022 was a memorable year for Clarke as he was selected to play in the Futures Game for the American League during All Star Weekend. Less than three weeks later he hit inside the park homers on back-to-back nights, which is something you don’t see very often.
“The left field line in Lansing is kind of funky if you don’t know how to play it. Leftfielder misplayed it and I scooted around the bases. The following game I drove one to right centerfield and it hit the wall. I was laughing to myself as I was rounding second because I knew I had another one” the 24-year-old reminisced about the rarity.
Radio broadcaster Jesse Goldberg-Strassler broadcasted those games for the Lansing Lugnuts that season enjoys seeing Clarke’s flow around the bases. “Denzel Clarke at full speed is game breaking” the broadcaster said.
Clark Played College Baseball at California State University Northridge
The game of baseball will take you to places that you have never been before. Clarke was born and raised in Ontario, Canada but played college baseball at California State University Northridge. Clarke explained his decision to play college baseball over 2,500 miles away from home.
“I was looking for a place where I could play baseball for a solid amount of the year,” Clarke said. “I got connected to the CSUN coaching staff and things took off from there which I was very happy about”
Baseball is a grind and much like his teammate Lawrence Butler, Clarke seems to enjoy his downtime.
“In season I just be sleeping. For real I like spending time with family and friends and relaxing. Anything I can do to keep my mind at peace” he shared how he gets through the season away from the park.
Clark Is Another Canadian Product: He’s Cousins To The Naylor Brothers
A common theme for all ballplayers is the love of family. Earlier this spring we caught up with fellow MLBbro Josh Naylor, who is a cousin of Clarke.
“I love keeping in contact with the family. If I have questions, I pick their brain” Clarke said about the general relationship. “We always send each other funny videos, funny memes, and stuff like that” said Clarke, sharing details on communicating with Josh, Bo, and Myles Naylor.
Clarke didn’t necessarily have a favorite player growing up, but some great bros of the past are not lost on him. “I always got compared to Adam Jones and Lorenzo Cain because of the body type. Depending on how old the person was even Andre Dawson” he shared. “They were strong, lean, quick, guys” he concluded.
Now that Clarke is on the 40-man roster, his next step will be to make his Major League debut which he hopes will be in 2025.
