Athletics’ Denzel Clarke Prioritizes Hitting Development At Triple-A
Denzel Clarke is one of the more physical athletes in the Athletics’ system. The 25-year-old has hit his way to Triple-A Las Vegas, but what he truly takes pride in is his defense in center field.
“It’s just something I’ve always worked on,” Clarke said. “I started baseball a little later, so I was like, ‘OK, I need to work on something that’s going to keep me on the field.’
“And my defense is what I’ve worked on ever since I was a kid.”
Clarke grew up in the Toronto area. His mother is Donna Clarke, an Olympian heptathlete for Canada in 1984. He was 14 years old when he saw his cousins playing baseball. Those cousins happen to be all-star first baseman Josh Naylor and up-and-coming catcher Bo Naylor.
A third brother is an A’s prospect: 2023 supplemental first-round third baseman Myles Naylor.
“Denzel is athletic and good in center field as anybody we have in the organization.” Athletics GM David Forst said. “His reads are good, his instincts are good, he goes to get the ball and he can make up ground. So center field, he’s ready to be in a big league outfield pretty soon.”
When it comes to action at the plate, there’s a game plan in place.
“He just needs reps at Triple-A,” Forst said. “There’s some swing-and-miss to Denzel’s game. He’s got to work on his approach. The power is there, and when he makes contact, he can run. We’re working on putting the ball in play and cutting down on strikeouts.”
Drafted in the fourth round in 2021 out of Cal State Northridge, Clarke spent last season at Double-A Midland. He slashed .269/.339/.446 with 13 home runs and 36 stolen bases in 116 games.
”There are definitely times in the season where you have to prioritize certain things, and right now, obviously, I’m going to prioritize my hitting,” Clarke said, “but I’m definitely not taking any time off the defense. I always want to make sure I keep it sharp, and the same with baserunning.”
