He’s an outfielder who was the top high school pick in this year’s MLB Draft. He’s also as well-rounded a prep athlete as you’ll find as he prepares to make the jump to professional baseball as a first-round pick. Here’s what to know about Indiana prep star Max Clark, who was selected No. 3 overall by the Tigers.
FAST FACTS
Position: OF
Ht/Wt: 6-foot-1, 190 lbs.
B/T: Left/left
DOB: Dec. 21, 2004
College: Committed to Vanderbilt
High school: Franklin Community High School (Ind.)
Born: Indiana
He’s the best prep player ever to come from Indiana
According to MLB Pipeline, Clark is the best high school Draft prospect to come from Indiana, and the best overall prospect from the Hoosier state since right-hander Bryan Bullington was drafted No. 1 overall by the Pirates out of Ball State in 2002.
Clark played for the Indiana Bulls travel baseball team, which boasts alumni such as recently elected Hall of Famer Scott Rolen, as well as current White Sox pitcher Lance Lynn and Cubs catcher Tucker Barnhart.
When he wasn’t patrolling center field for his high school team, Clark was on the mound, from which he unleashed a fastball that touched 97 mph. In other words, as an outfielder in pro ball, he’ll have a cannon for an arm.
He’s already hit long homers in Major League parks
Specifically, Tropicana Field and Dodger Stadium. During the 2022 Perfect Game showcase at Tropicana Field, a Clark homer with a wooden bat during batting practice reached the second level. At Dodger Stadium, Clark launched a ball 12 rows deep into the stands.
He was named Gatorade’s Player of the Year from Indiana three times and is a Vanderbilt commit
The Gatorade Indiana Player of the Year award was Clark’s third in three years. Should he choose collegiate baseball, though that may be unlikely after being taken so high in the Draft, Clark would be headed to a baseball powerhouse that has produced future Major League players on a regular basis — that includes Dansby Swanson, Sonny Gray and Walker Buehler, who all played for Vanderbilt.
He averaged almost two walks per game this past season
Clark hit .646 with an unbelievable .808 on-base percentage in his senior year with Franklin Community High School. That OBP was certainly helped by his 52 walks in 28 games.
He helped Team USA win the U-18 World Cup
Clark hit .280 with a homer in eight games for Team USA’s under-18 squad during the 2022 World Cup, delivering three hits in USA’s gold medal victory over Chinese Taipei.
He had a 4.0 GPA in high school, plays the piano and coaches youth baseball
Talk about well-rounded. Clark’s academic record at Franklin Community High School was excellent, he’s musical, and he even helps out in his community — namely, coaching 10-year-olds. He even got invited to one of their birthday parties … and showed up.