| 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 July 18,2025) | |
| Batting average | .213 |
| Home runs | 3 |
| Runs batted in | 8 |
| 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 made his MLB debut in 2025.
Clarke attended Everest Academy in Thornhill,Ontario,Canada. He was drafted by the New York Mets in the 36th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft,but did not sign and played college baseball at California State University,Northridge. [1] [2] In 2019,he played summer league baseball for the Kokomo Jackrabbits of the Northwoods League. [3] After three years at Northridge,he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft and signed.
Clarke made his professional debut with the Arizona Complex League Athletics. He started 2022 with the Stockton Ports before being promoted to the Lansing Lugnuts. [4] In July,he was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game. [5] In 93 games split between the two affiliates,Clarke batted a combined .248/.365/.469 with 15 home runs,47 RBI,and 30 stolen bases. Clarke spent the 2023 season with the Double-A Midland RockHounds,playing in 64 contests and hitting .261/.381/.496 with 12 home runs,43 RBI,and 11 stolen bases. [6]
Clarke returned to Midland for the 2024 campaign,playing in 116 games and slashing .269/.339/.446 with 13 home runs,53 RBI,and 36 stolen bases. Following the season,the Athletics added Clarke to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. [7]
Clarke was optioned to the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators to begin the 2025 season. [8] In 31 appearances for the Aviators,he batted .286/.436/.419 with 21 RBI and seven stolen bases. [9]
On May 23,2025,Clarke was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. [10] He hit his first major league home run on May 31,against the Toronto Blue Jays. [11] In his first season he became known for several notable wall climbs,robbing batters of home runs. [12]
Clarke is a cousin of baseball players Josh,Bo,and Myles Naylor. [4] [13]
Clarke's mother is heptathlete Donna Smellie, [14] while his uncle Kevin Smellie formerly played in the Canadian Football League for the Toronto Argonauts,and another cousin,Gavin Smellie,is a sprinter. [15] [16]
