Chicago White Sox: The fallen star of Ian Clarkin

Former first round draft pick Ian Clarkin has been designated for assignment, as the former top prospect’s star continues to fall.

It was not that long ago when Ian Clarkin was considered to be a solid prospect, a pitcher who had once been compared to the likes of Jose Quintana. He was one of the centerpieces of the trade that sent David Robertson, Todd Frazier, and Tommy Kahnle from the Chicago White Sox to the New York Yankees, a former first round prospect, albeit one that had been slowed by injuries. Nonetheless, when he was on the mound, Clarkin had generally produced solid results.

That had been the case prior to this season. Finally given his first taste of AA action, Clarkin struggled, posting a 4.98 ERA and a 1.529 WHiP. Over his 65 innings, which encompassed 18 appearances, ten of which were starts, he struck out only 35 batters while issuing 31 walks.

With the White Sox needing room on the 40 man roster for the recently signed Kelvin Herrera, it was not a surprise that Clarkin was designated for assignment. He had, after all, been removed from the White Sox 40 man roster earlier this offseason, only to return less than a week later after the Cubs let him go.

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Obviously, the White Sox are hopeful that they can retain his services. However, he will need to slip through waivers in order to remain in the organization. Given his struggles at the AA level last season, and his injury history which cost Clarkin the entirety of the 2015 campaign, the White Sox may well be able to keep the former first round pick.

Yet, his major league future is already in doubt. Although Clarkin has produced relatively well in the lower minors, with a 2.92 ERA and a 1.297 WHiP in high-A ball. However, even with that success, there are warning signs. In his 197.1 innings, he has struck out only 145 batters with 67 walks. Those numbers are not exactly overwhelming, considering his ERA.

This lack of production has led to decreased expectations for Clarkin. No longer is he thought of as another Quintana; instead, he is looked at as a back of the rotation starter or a long reliever. That is, if he even reaches the majors, something that Fangraphs considered highly unlikely. In fact, he was given an 80% likelihood of never reaching the majors at the time of his trade to Chicago.

Ian Clarkin had once been considered one of the more promising pitchers in the Yankees system. Designated for assignment for the second time this offseason by the Chicago White Sox, injuries and middling staff have caused his star to fall dramatically.