The Detroit Tigers have some incredibly exciting young talent both in the majors and on the way up.
But 2023 No. 3 overall pick centerfielder Max Clark might be at the top of the list, even if he is still a few years away from being ready to play in the major leagues. When you draft a guy straight out of high school with a high pick, it’s because he has not just a tremendous amount of talent, but there’s probably something you like about him off the field as well.
Clark is only 19 years old and will not turn 20 until shortly before Christmas, yet the young star appears to be mature beyond his years. Clark has received appreciation from High-A West Michigan Whitecaps commentator Dan Hasty in a recent appearance with the Tiger Territory podcast.
“Max Clark is such an interesting individual. When you spend time with Max, you don’t feel like you’re with a typical 19-20 year old. You feel like you’re spending time with not only the face of the Detroit Tigers in 2-3 years, but one of the faces of Major League Baseball,” Hasty explained. “When you ask guys coming out of high school about goals, their answers revolve around statistics…sometimes they revolve around clichés…but you ask Max and he starts talking about setting up an LLC so he can set wheels in motion for a charity that his wife is gonna run to support and combat mental health…we’ve never seen anything like it.”
Clark was promoted to West Michigan after playing 73 games in 2024 with the Single-A Lakeland Flying Tigers. Clark hit.286 with an OPS over.800 in 73 games, including 7 home runs and 58 RBIs. His stats decreased slightly after being promoted, which was to be expected given the tiny 34-game sample size.
He is on course to become the next Detroit superstar, as he is presently ranked as baseball’s No. 6 prospect and the only player with experience below Double-A in the top ten.
Tigers fans will be pleased to learn that he appears to have a great head on his shoulders.