Matt Clark (baseball)

Last updated

Matt Clark
Matt Clark fielding for the Brewers in 2014.jpg
Clark with the Milwaukee Brewers
First baseman / Outfielder
Born: (1986-12-10) December 10, 1986 (age 37)
West Covina, California, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
Professional debut
NPB: 2013, for the Chunichi Dragons
MLB: September 2, 2014, for the Milwaukee Brewers
Last MLB appearance
September 28, 2014, for the Milwaukee Brewers
Men's baseball
Representing Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Pan American Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2011 Guadalajara National team
Representing Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico
2019 WBSC Premier12
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2019 Tokyo National team

Matthew Terry Clark (born December 10, 1986) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and outfielder. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Chunichi Dragons and Orix Buffaloes (NPB). Before beginning his professional career, he played college baseball at UC Santa Barbara and Louisiana State University. Clark also competed for the United States national baseball team and the Mexico national baseball team.

Contents

Early life and education

Clark attended Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California. It was announced on November 18, 2004, that Clark had signed with the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos baseball team and enrolled at the University of California, Santa Barbara. [1] Clark played in 44 games as a true freshman and hit 2 home runs for the Gauchos. [2] He left Santa Barbara after his freshman year and continued his collegiate career at Riverside Community College, where he was named a Junior college First-Team All-American in 2007. [3] Clark was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 28th round (848th overall) of the 2007 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft, but did not sign. After the 2007 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League. [4] [5]

Clark transferred to Louisiana State University (LSU), where he played for the LSU Tigers baseball team in the Southeastern Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division I in 2008. As a junior, his 28 home runs tied Gordon Beckham for most in NCAA's Division I. [6]

Career

San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres selected Clark in the 12th round (375th overall) of the 2008 MLB draft, and Clark signed with the Padres. [3] He began his professional career with the Eugene Emeralds of the Class-A Short Season Northwest League in 2008, batting .279/.384/.443 in 140 at bats. [7]

In 2009, he played for the Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Class-A Midwest League and the Lake Elsinore Storm of the Class-A Advanced California League. He finished the 2009 season batting .279/.360/.504 with 101 runs batted in (RBIs) and 134 strikeouts in 502 at bats at Fort Wayne and Lake Elsinore, one of 15 minor league baseball players to have at least 100 RBIs that season. [8]

He played for the San Antonio Missions of the Class-AA Texas League in 2010 (batting .269/.339/.485 with 28 home runs (2nd in the Texas League) and 97 RBIs (2nd) in 499 at bats while leading the league with 146 strikeouts). He then played for the Tucson Padres of the Class-AAA Pacific Coast League in 2011 (batting .292/.363/.498 with 23 home runs and 83 RBIs and 116 strikeouts in 462 at bats). [9]

The Padres invited Clark to spring training in 2012. In 2012 with Tucson, he batted .290/.367/.506 with 22 home runs (6th in the league) and 77 RBIs (10th) as he struck out 113 times (3rd) in 445 at bats. [9] He was released from the organization on January 8, 2013.

Chunichi Dragons

Clark played with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the 2013 season. He batted .238/.328/.457 with 25 home runs (4th in the league) and 70 RBIs (7th) as he struck out 130 times (leading the league) in 407 at bats. [10]

New York Mets

On January 31, 2014, Clark signed a minor-league contract with the New York Mets that included an invitation to spring training. He appeared in 67 games for the Double-A Binghamton Mets, batting .297/.380/.498 with 10 home runs and 46 RBIs in 219 at bats, before he was released on June 25, 2014.

Milwaukee Brewers

Clark batting for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2014 Matt Clark batting for the Brewers in 2014 (Cropped).jpg
Clark batting for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2014

On July 4, 2014, Clark signed a minor-league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. Playing for the Triple–A Nashville Sounds, he batted .313/.371/.605 with 16 home runs and 37 RBI in 195 at–bats. [7] Clark was called up to the Brewers' MLB roster in September. He collected his first career RBI, then later hit his first MLB home run on September 10, at home against the Miami Marlins. The home run extended the Brewers' lead over the Marlins to 3–1 in the bottom of the 7th inning in a game with potential playoff implications. In 27 at–bats with the Brewers he hit .185/.226/.519. [7]

Clark spent the 2015 season with the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox, batting .291/.367/.492 with 34 doubles (8th in the Pacific Coast League), 20 home runs, and 77 RBI in 478 at bats. [7] On November 2, 2015, Clark was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A. [11] He elected free agency following the season on November 6.

Chicago Cubs

On February 26, 2016, Clark signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs with an invite to spring training for the season. He was released on March 26.

Vaqueros Laguna

Clark signed with the Vaqueros Laguna of the Mexican Baseball League on April 28, 2016. After 15 at bats, he was released on May 3, 2016.

Orix Buffaloes

He returned to NPB with the Orix Buffaloes on May 12, 2016. [12] After 29 at bats, he became a free agent after the 2016 season.

Mexican League (2017–2021)

On February 28, 2017, Clark signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican Baseball League. On April 14, 2018, Clark was traded to the Pericos de Puebla of the Mexican Baseball League. Clark was later traded to the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos on June 11, 2018.[ citation needed ] On August 15, 2018, Clark was loaned to the Leones de Yucatán for the remainder of the 2018 season. Between three teams in the Mexican League, in 2018 he batted .278/.382/.474 with 12 home runs and 47 RBIs in 266 at bats. [7]

After electing free agency following the season, he signed with the Bravos de León on March 5, 2019. In 2019 with the team, he batted .316/.404/.681 (5th in the Mexican League) with 27 home runs and 87 RBIs in 285 at bats. [7] Clark did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. [13]

On February 2, 2021, Clark was traded to the Sultanes de Monterrey along with Norman Elenes and Omar Renteria in exchange for Chris Roberson and Felix Perez. [14] In 15 games with the team, he batted .220/.375/.240 with 11 hits and 3 RBIs in 64 at bats. [7]

On June 14, 2021, Clark was traded back to the Bravos de León in exchange for IF Carlos Álvarez. [15] He finished the season with a .299/.388/.576 line, belting 13 home runs and driving in 43 runs over 45 games. [7]

On March 25, 2022, Clark announced his retirement from professional baseball. [16]

International career

Clark played for the United States national baseball team in the 2011 Baseball World Cup and the 2011 Pan American Games, winning the silver medal. [17]

In 2019, he was on the Mexico national baseball team in the 2019 WBSC Premier 12, when he hit a home run in a game against the United States bringing home the bronze medal, 3–2. It qualified him for consideration for a national team spot in the 2020 Olympic Games but he was not selected.

Personal life

Clark's father, Terry Clark, played in MLB. [3] Clark is married to Julia Morales. [18] He is of Mexican descent through his maternal grandmother. [19]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Stairs</span> Canadian baseball player (born 1968)

Matthew Wade Stairs is a Canadian former professional baseball outfielder, first baseman, and designated hitter, who holds the record for most pinch-hit home runs in Major League Baseball (MLB) history with 23. His pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning of Game 4 in the 2008 National League Championship Series off the Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Jonathan Broxton was called "one of the most memorable home runs in Phillies history".

Brady William Clark is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Brady is a class of 1991 graduate of Sunset High School in Beaverton, Oregon, and 1996 graduate of the University of San Diego, where he played college baseball for the Toreros from 1992 to 1995. He was named to the All-West Coast Conference Team in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Oglivie</span> Panamanian baseball player (born 1949)

Benjamin Ambrosio Oglivie Palmer is a Panamanian former professional baseball left fielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox (1971–1973), Detroit Tigers (1974–1977), and Milwaukee Brewers (1978–1986). He also played two seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Kintetsu Buffaloes (1987–1988). Oglivie batted and threw left-handed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrián González</span> Mexican-American baseball player (born 1982)

Adrián González Savín, also known by his nicknames "A-Gon" and "Titán", is a Mexican-American former professional baseball first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets.

James Ray Tatum is an American former professional baseball utility player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets. Tatum also played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yakult Swallows and in the KBO League for the LG Twins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcides Escobar</span> Venezuelan baseball player (born 1986)

Alcides Escobar is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder for the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals and Washington Nationals, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edgar Gonzalez (infielder)</span> American baseball player (born 1978)

Edgar Gonzalez is an American former professional baseball second baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juan Francisco</span> Dominican baseball player (born 1987)

Juan Ramón Francisco González (born June 24, 1987) is a Dominican professional baseball first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers and Toronto Blue Jays. He also played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Efrén Navarro</span> American baseball player (born 1986)

Efrén Navarro is a Mexican-American professional baseball first baseman and left fielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hanshin Tigers. He also plays on the Mexico national baseball team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cory Spangenberg</span> American baseball player (born 1991)

Cory Joseph Spangenberg is an American former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, and St. Louis Cardinals, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Saitama Seibu Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Villanueva</span> Mexican baseball player (born 1991)

Christian Iván Villanueva Limón, nicknamed "Villa", is a Mexican professional baseball third baseman for the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Yomiuri Giants and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. Villanueva won the National League's Rookie of the Month Award for April 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arismendy Alcántara</span> Dominican baseball player (born 1991)

Arismendy Alcántara is a Dominican professional baseball center fielder and second baseman who is a free agent. Alcántara signed as an international free agent with the Chicago Cubs in 2008 as a shortstop. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cubs, Oakland Athletics, and Cincinnati Reds and in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cody Decker</span> American baseball player (born 1987)

Cody Marshall Decker is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres in 2015. A right-handed power hitter, he played first base, third base, left field, and could catch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jace Peterson</span> American baseball player (born 1990)

Jace Ryan Peterson is an American professional baseball utility player who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Peterson played college baseball at McNeese State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">José Pirela</span> Venezuelan baseball player (born 1989)

José Manuel Pirela is a Venezuelan professional baseball second baseman and outfielder for the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies. He has also played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and in the KBO League for the Samsung Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rangel Ravelo</span> Cuban baseball player (born 1992)

Rangel Ravelo is a Cuban professional baseball first baseman and outfielder for the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Orix Buffaloes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Gamel</span> American baseball player (born 1992)

Benjamin Joseph Gamel is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trent Grisham</span> American baseball player (born 1996)

Trenton Marcus Grisham is an American professional baseball center fielder for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Dixon (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1992)

Brandon Allen Dixon is an American former professional baseball infielder and outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, and San Diego Padres, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luis Urías</span> Mexican baseball player (born 1997)

Luis Fernando Urías Figueroa is a Mexican professional baseball infielder for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, and Boston Red Sox. He had his MLB debut with San Diego in 2018.

References

  1. "UC Santa Barbara Inks Top-25 Recruiting Class". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. November 18, 2004. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  2. "2006 UC Santa Barbara Baseball". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. May 28, 2006. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Padres sign sixth-round pick Cole Figueroa - padres.com: Official Info". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  4. "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  5. "2007 Cotuit Kettleers". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  6. "Matt Clark Bio". Lsusports.net. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Matt Clark Minor, Winter, Japanese & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  8. "AtlantaDugout.com". braves.scout.com. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  9. 1 2 "2010 Texas League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  10. [e]
  11. "Outrighted: Schafer, Hellweg, Jimenez, Moreno, Santos". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  12. "Buffloes Finalize Deal with Former Dragon, Clark". Japan Times. May 12, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  13. "Mexican League Cancels 2020 Season". MLB Trade Rumors. July 1, 2020.
  14. "Matt Clark Stats, Highlights, Bio", milb.com.
  15. "CARLOS ÁLVAREZ SE UNE A SULTANES". sultanes.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  16. @WBSC (March 25, 2022). "⚾️ #Premier12 hero, @MattClark60, calls it a career. Happy retirement, Matt!" (Tweet). Retrieved April 25, 2022 via Twitter.
  17. Emrich, Robert (October 26, 2011). "Van Ostrand, Canada take Pan Am gold | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on October 30, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  18. "Archived copy". MLB.com . Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved September 7, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. Ortiz, Maya Shea (July 3, 2021). "Olympic snub hits Team Mexico hero Matt Clark". Our Esquina.