MLB's No. 7 prospect Clark makes some noise during Indiana homecoming
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Max Clark may not have been homecoming king in high school, but this week’s High-A road series has certainly been one to remember in the highly touted Tigers prospect's home state of Indiana.
Leading off the game Wednesday, MLB’s No. 7 overall prospect drilled a solo homer on the fourth pitch of the night off Clark Candiotti (SD No. 26) -- a true Clark-on-Clark clash -- in West Michigan's 7-0 victory over host Fort Wayne at Parkview Field.
“It means a lot to me, man,” Clark said. “There's nothing better than playing ball in Indiana, let alone like playing where you grew up.”
Detroit's No. 1 prospect was clearly energized about playing in front of family, friends and young fans who once looked up to him as a dominant prep and travel ball player -- and apparently still do.
“There’s a lot of kids out there that’s wearing my gear,” Clark said, speaking to the Baseball Lifestyle 101 signature merchandise line inspired by the flashy colors he likes to accessorize with on the field. “It was a cool moment to experience.”
Clark knows the Indiana spotlight well. The 2023 Gatorade Player of the Year and Franklin Community High School product collected 119 hits across three prep seasons, batting .551 with a .713 OBP. Originally committed to Vanderbilt, he was selected No. 3 overall by the Tigers in the 2023 Draft.
Now in his third pro season, Clark has taken another step forward. After posting a reverse split in 2024 with a .341/.465/.524 line against lefties, the 20-year-old left-handed hitter has flipped the script. This year, he's posted a .973 OPS against right-handers with a 17-to-13 walk-to-strikeout ratio.
“For me, I think it was just like what I did in the offseason in order to prepare for this year,” Clark said. “There were a lot of times last year where I was in positions with my body that, like, regardless of how well I saw a pitcher, I just wasn't able to get off a competitive swing.”
But such swings have come easy for Clark in 2025. He has already enjoyed some notable matchups in the Midwest League, including this week's showdown with Padres teen wunderkind Leo De Vries, baseball's No. 3 prospect. Facing that caliber of competition only fuels his fire.
“Overall, the Midwest League is incredible. I've heard it called the Prospect League a bunch,” Clark said. “It's just so many good farm systems in our league. There’s so many good players, and even like the guys who aren't necessarily a 'top prospect' are incredible players.”
Squaring off with a player like De Vries means a lot to him, even at the High-A level.
“That kid is a phenom,” Clark said. “Everything that people say about him is true. He carries himself extremely well, and you know, he's always playing with a smile on his face.”
Clark is himself known for that kind of energy, athleticism and polish -- which garnered him a 60 overall grade on the scouting scale. His development inside the Tigers’ system has been bolstered by the resources around him.
Watching his organization rise to the top of the AL Central this year has ignited Clark’s aspirations. The Tigers currently boast the best record in Major League Baseball at 29-15, and the 20-year-old enjoyed being included in the winning culture during Spring Training.
“I mean, if you follow my X account, I tweet about them religiously. They’re fun to watch,” he said. “I got to spend a lot of time with those guys in the spring. They offered a lot of knowledge. They offered a lot of love and just being around people like that puts you in a place to win.”
MLB Pipeline projects Clark’s big league ETA to be 2027, but with his steady growth and professional mindset, he's focused on pushing forward and trying to force the issue of his timeline.
“I don’t like to set numerical goals, or you know, I want to be at this affiliate,” he said. “That stuff’s all going to fall into line just being consistent and trying to dominate the day.”
For Clark, that’s what separates good from great.
“The best players in the world can do it every single night, no matter the weather, no matter the circumstance,” he said. “Mentally, you have to be there each and every day and try and be as consistent as possible.”