While it has recently become more commonplace for MLB franchises to rapidly push young players to the big leagues, there are still stories of prospects hanging in the minors for multiple seasons before getting a real look in the majors.
The Athletics potentially have one of those unfolding in top 10 prospect Denzel Clarke. Ranked as the No. 6 prospect in the A's system per MLB Pipeline, the 2021 fourth-round pick is about to embark on his fourth full season in professional baseball.
Although he has yet to take a hack above Double-A, Clarke has made strides toward an MLB debut. His performance in last year's Arizona Fall League and defensive efforts in spring training are big reasons why.
After being sent to minor league camp March 10, A's fans could still look forward to Clarke flashing his skills in the team's Spring Breakout game. The 24-year-old outfielder showed why he could be in Sacramento before the end of the 2025 season in last Friday's 5-2 triumph over the San Diego Padres' top prospects.
Clarke reached base twice, recorded a steal and drove in two runs in the showcase event. It was a great sign for the defense-first prospect, who's glove has come as advertised this spring.
Gold Glove in Denzel Clarke's future?
Teams often feel they've struck gold when they find a defensive stud in a premium position. Clarke fits that mold in center field, where he's made dozens of spectacular plays across the minors, the Arizona Fall League and his second MLB spring training.
In his final game with the A's this spring before being sent down, Clarke made an unbelievable leaping grab at the wall to take away a home run.
Denzel Clarke or Spider-Man? 🕸️@Athletics | @CSUNBaseball pic.twitter.com/nzpgVOF5Q9
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) March 9, 2025
In the Spring Breakout game, Clarke again displayed his speed and defensive prowess with an impressive sliding catch at the warning track. The play stole an extra-base hit from Padres No. 1 prospect Leo De Vries.
Denzel Clarke takes away extra bases!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 14, 2025
After putting the @Athletics on the board with a single in the top of the first, the speedy outfielder robs the #Padres' Leo De Vries.
Watch Spring Breakout action LIVE: https://t.co/iLHvJZchoM pic.twitter.com/pkNDdbw8Jw
A's executives are dreaming about what Clarke can do for the major-league club in center. Director of player development Ed Sprague compared his athletic ability to Bo Jackson and said Clarke can be "a Gold Glove center fielder right now," per MLB.com's Martin Gallegos.
No A's outfielder has won a Gold Glove Award since Josh Reddick in 2012. The organization seems to think Clarke can be the next one.
Power/speed combo means extra-base opportunities for Clarke
There's no denying that Clarke's defense is up to MLB standard, but his bat is a different story. There's been plenty of hot and cold for him at the plate throughout his minor-league career. However, the raw tools are there for him to be a consistently good hitter at the highest level.
Sporting an .828 OPS in over 1,000 minor-league at-bats, Clarke has flexed his strength and wheels. Last year with Triple-A Mesa, he had 13 home runs, 21 doubles, eight triples and 36 stolen bases.
More than three-quarters of those 42 extra-base hits came after May when Clarke finally got going offensively. After hitting under .200 through his first 38 games, Clarke posted a .307 batting average the rest of the year. He finished with a .269/.339/.445 slash line in 116 games. The A's will take those numbers in the majors with his elite defense.
He closed the season with an .817 OPS across his final 10 games and continued mashing in the fall. Clarke was named to the All-Arizona Fall League Team following a 19-game stretch in which he registered a 1.060 OPS with seven extra-base hits and nine steals.
The thing holding him back at the plate is his discipline. The strikeout rates at their current form are unsustainable for Clarke to be an MLB regular. If he cuts that down, though, there is All-Star potential in the Toronto-born prospect.