Taylor Clarke

Clarke's collegiate career began at Towson, where he logged eight solid starts as a freshman. He had Tommy John surgery during his sophomore year, and transferred to the College of Charleston when Towson nearly cut its program in 2013. At Charleston, the righthander has thrived. He has developed above-average command of his potent three-pitch arsenal, with the ability to pitch off of his fastball. Clarke's fastball now sits at 90-94 and touches 95, a modest jump from the 88-92 he showed as a junior. His slider is his best secondary, thrown with power in the upper 80s and glove-side cut. Clarke has exceptional command of both pitches, with the ability to pound his slider to the back foot of lefties, punch it through the front door of righties, or compete at the heart of the strike zone. He has tremendous feel for his fastball above the hitter's belt, and is comfortable working to both sides. At 6-foot-4, Clarke has a thick, muscly build, giving him the look of a Major League starter. Clarke has some feel for a changeup, but uses it sparingly right now, and scouts see the development of his changeup as the only thing separating him from eventually earning a spot in a big league rotation.