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Athletics are calling up CF prospect Denzel Clarke

Athletics are calling up CF prospect Denzel Clarke

MLB DraftKings Network

Published:

By: Stan Son

Earlier this season, the Athletics called up their number-one prospect, Nick Kurtz. On Thursday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the Athletics will be calling up their fifth-best prospect, Denzel Clarke, according to MLB.com.

Clarke is 25 years old, 6’4″, 220 pounds and bats from the right side. Defensively, he will patrol the outfield.

In 133 plate appearances in Triple-A this season, Clarke slashed .286/.436/.419 with a 17.3% walke rate, 21.8% strikeout rate and .133 ISO. The batting average was fueled by an elevated .395 BABIP.

Clarke has all the tools to be a fantasy producer, with 70 grade speed, 60 grade raw power and 40 grade game power. He hit double-digit home runs in the last two seasons in the minors and stole at least 30 bases in those two campaigns.

The big issue will be the hit tool. The strikeout rate was often in the 30% zone, which makes me somewhat skeptical that the current 21.8% strikeout rate translates. He will likely struggle in his first MLB action, and it wouldn’t surprise if he gets sent down to Triple-A at some point. That said, he’s someone to monitor due to the power/speed combo.

Stan Son
Stan joined DraftKings in December of 2020. It was a glorious time, except for that whole COVID thing, when we got Madden streams and boisterous bat flips from the KBO. I was brought on board to bring some West Coast flavor. I especially love hoops, and most of my content is in that arena. When I walk along the beach, strumming my guitar, the beat that I hear is not one of crashing waves. No, it is the beat of the ball bouncing off the hardwood with highs provided by the squeaks of the sneakers. Ball is life.
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