Wesley
Clarke

Has bullied opposing pitching with 10 home runs already this spring and specializes in crushing cookies to all parts of the yard. There is some length to his swing and slider bat speed, but at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds there is also massive strength and power potential, along with the versatility to suit up behind the dish on occasion. He will likely be considered towards the end of Day Two.

Mid-Atlantic ProCase: Clarke was our highest ranked 2018 in the class there and the South Carolina commit showed quickly why we think so highly of him. He was making loud contact throughout his rounds of BP that got better with each swing, putting frozen ropes on the net out at TSI. Clarke then posted a top pop of 1.94 getting up to 82 mph from the catcher position. Clarke's receiving ability might the part of his game I like the most, and he continued to show that again at the ProCase. Catching a lot of new arms with high velo and late breaking off speed, Clarke made them comfortable and caught each different arm with ease.

Clarke is 6-3 with a projectable athletic frame that he can still add to. Hits from the right side from an athletic stance, short leg kick stride on line, smooth load back, good rhythm to his swing. Explosive hips and good balance to swing. Quick hands, quick to ball, works uphill through it with good extension. Has a line drive swing with a lot of power potential, ball carries well, showed ability to use who field in BP, slight pull approach in game, exit velocity was 94. Behind the plate, sways quietly, soft hands receiving, presents a very good strike, quick into his blocks. Quick, clean exchange, throws from a high three-quarters arm slot, short loose arm action, yanks head some at release. Pop times were 1.94-2.01 and position velocity was 78, showed some accuracy with his throws. Home to first was 4.56.

Strong, tall athletic frame. Hits from a balanced set up at the plate. Nice rhythm throughout. Shorter path to ball with nice extension through swing. Hands work at the plate, power present to all fields. Squared up ball well in game showed ability to shorten up and pull hands in as well. Presents a big, low target as a receiver behind the plate. Nice flexibility and hip control behind the plate. Very fluid throughout. Arm strength is there with soft hands. Quick exchange and release, in between inning pop around 1.98.

6.11.16:  Clarke has an athletic frame and hits from the right side. He has a short swing and good hips generating good bat speed. He primarily had a gap to gap approach with easy doubles power to either gap and home run power to his pull side. Behind the plate, short loose arm action and an above average arm with a positional velocity of 78. Threw a 1.97 and 2.03 game pop, and all between-inning pops were between 2.00 and 2.09. Athletic behind the plate and slides well.

Clarke has a strong, athletic frame and hits from the right side and has an athletic stance. He has good rhythm and a leg kick stride with a smooth load back. He has an explosive lower half and maintains good balance throughout his swing. Clarke has very good bat speed and is short to the ball with good extension through it. Clarke showed a good approach, using the entire field. He has gap power to all fields and home run power to his pull side with the potential to have home run power to all fields. Behind the plate, Clarke throws from a high three-quarters arm slot with a short, quick, loose arm action and above average arm strength. His between inning pop times were 2.03-2.06.

Clarke has a big, strong frame for a freshman. He hits from the right side and has quick hands, explosive hips and bat speed, giving him big power potential. He went 1-4 on the day, making consistent contact with the barrel, and looking relaxed and confident in the box. The highlight of the day was his second at bat, when he drilled a fastball down the leftfield line to the fence for a double.