2 articles
STL • P
12 days ago
A 2024 fifth-round pick, Clarke had a great start to his pro career last season before dealing with hand issues. Even so, his 14 starts saw him struck out 60 in 38 innings. He has a long way to go in the control department — though the hand factored into his problems there last season — but he has big-time upside as a starter and he’d still project as an excellent reliever if he doesn’t develop as hoped. He’ll probably need to spend all of 2026 in the minors.
BOS • P
12 days ago
Clarke is the Red Sox’s fifth-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, so this is a great get for the Cardinals. The 22-year-old posted a 4.03 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 60/27 K/BB ratio in 38 innings in 2025 in his first professional season, spent mostly at High-A. Clarke possesses an upper-90s fastball from the left side with a wipeout slider. He also has a curve and changeup that he can mix in to right-handed pitchers, and has all the makings of a high-end prospect. However, the Red Sox also have Connelly Early, Payton Tolle, Kyle Harrison, and Kyson Witherspoon, among others, and a team can only have so many pitching prospects with a realistic shot to crack the starting rotation.
Source: Jeff Passan