Super 60 Standout: The Evolution Of Denzel Clarke
February 8, 2018
Visit our scout blog, which includes velocity, pop times and in-depth scouting reports. The blog will be updated throughout the entire spring, with information on top prospects and top performances, click here.
To view the 2018 player rankings, please click here.
To view the 2019 player rankings, please click here.
To view the 2020 player rankings, please click here.
Interested in attending a PBR Ontario event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.
Super 60 Standout: The Evolution Of Denzel Clarke
Denzel Clarke
Class of 2018 / OF
Player Information
-
Graduating Class: 2018
-
Primary Position: OF
-
High School: Everest AcademyState: ON
- Summer Team: Toronto Mets
-
Height: 6-4Weight: 210lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Statistics
Position
6.65
60-yard
86
OF Velo
92
Exit Velo
Videos
(2/4/18)
Player News
- Future Games Rewind: Drafted Canadians - Feb 11, 2024
- The Super 60 - Past and Present Canadians - Jan 29, 2022
- Day 2 Draft Notes - Jul 13, 2021
- Canadian Collegiate - Players of the Week - May 5, 2021
- Gut Feel Guys For 2021 - Jan 27, 2021
- Canadian Junior National Team Selection Camp - Inside Look at Ontario - Nov 13, 2018
- Canada Draft Preview - May 30, 2018
- 2018 PBR ProCase - Five Thoughts with Friele - May 18, 2018
- 2018 PBR ProCase - Quick Hits - May 15, 2018
- High School Crosscheck: Week 12 - May 7, 2018
- Team Canada Takes On Canada's Team - The Toronto Blue Jays - Mar 19, 2018
- Team Canada Scout Blog Notes - Mar 19, 2018
- High School Crosscheck: Week 5 - Mar 19, 2018
- Team Canada vs Detroit Tigers - Mar 17, 2018
- Team Canada Day 1 Notes - Mar 17, 2018
- Canadian Junior National Team Roster Announced - A Look At Ontario Position Players - Mar 8, 2018
- Mountain Ridge (AZ) Adds High-End Arm - Feb 9, 2018
- Super 60 Standout: The Evolution Of Denzel Clarke - Feb 8, 2018
- Super 60 Breakout Candidates - Jan 31, 2018
- Scouting Notes: Toronto Mets Indoor Workout - Jan 24, 2018
- 2018 Watch: Noah Naylor and Denzel Clarke - Jan 3, 2018
- Super 60 Spotlight: Denzel Clarke - Jan 3, 2018
- Ontario Insider: 2018 Stocking Stuffers - Seniors You Need to Sign - Dec 20, 2017
- 2017 Ontario Scout Blog - Nov 27, 2017
- Ontario Insider: Notes On Players Off To Jupiter - Oct 17, 2017
- In the Weeds: Top Uncommitted Canadian 2018's - Oct 9, 2017
- Ontario Insider: All-T12 Prospect Team - Sep 21, 2017
- Ontario Insider: T12 Outlook - Ontario Black - Sep 14, 2017
- Ontario Insider: Team Canada 18u World Championship Preview - Sep 1, 2017
- On the Hunt: Top Uncommitted Players From Overall 2018 Rankings - Jul 20, 2017
- Updated 2018 Overall Rankings Released - Jul 20, 2017
- PBR Podcast: 2018 Overall Rankings Update - Jul 20, 2017
- The Hotlist: 2018s On The Rise - Jul 12, 2017
- In the Weeds: Ontario - May 15, 2017
- The 2016 Ontario Recruiting Trail - Apr 21, 2017
- Ontario Insider: Canada's Junior National Team Spring Roster - 2018 Ontario Players - Mar 6, 2017
- PBR Ontario's Top Stories For The Year 2016: A Look Back At The 1st Annual ProCase - Dec 27, 2016
- PBR Ontario's Top Stories For The Year 2016: Breakout Performers from 2018/2019 Class - Dec 23, 2016
- The Hotlist: Uncommitted 2018 Outfielders - Nov 2, 2016
- Ontario Insider: Top Underclass Uncommitted Outfield Prospects - Oct 20, 2016
- Ontario Scout Blog - Aug 22, 2016
- Under Armour Classic: Day 1 Notebook - Jun 18, 2016
- Under Armour Classic Preview: Toronto Mets - Jun 9, 2016
- Ontario Insider: Uncommitted Underclass Spotlight - Denzel Clarke, OF - Apr 7, 2016
- Ontario Insider: Top Uncommitted Underclass Outfielders - Oct 2, 2015
The Evolution OF Denzel Clarke
The Super 60 is one of, if not the most prestigious event we at Prep Baseball will hold for the upcoming 2018 draft prospects as we continue to trend into the direction of opening day for high school baseball. As some states and provinces start sooner than others, it’s not out the equation to see prospects in midsummer form in early February at The Max Facility in McCook Illinois.
This year, our representative from the great white north was outfielder and recent Cal State Northridge commit Denzel Clarke. For those unfamiliar with Clarke, he’s an athletic, 6-foot-4, 210-pound centre-fielder who plays for the Toronto Mets and Canadian Junior National Team. The 6’4 and 210 pounds hasn’t always been included in his profile, as the 2018 grad has made significant gains to his frame over the last three months and you see the body slowly coming together as Clarke was noticeably stronger than the last time we saw him perform in October.
Your typical showcase format at The Max with 60’s, exit velocity, BP and defensive work, the only difference is that it’s in front of 150 plus professional scouts. Clarke started the day of with a 6.79 60-yard dash, not the best time he has ran but you were still able to see the easy running form and long strides he possesses. The extra strength and weight he has put on may have taken his time down a notch, but it is easy to see that he can be back to his 6.60 form as he continues to carry and get accustomed to his new weight.
At the plate, Clarke had two rounds of BP, with the latter being the more impressive round. The new found strength was evident as you can see the ball jump off his bat with more juice than in the past with louder contact than he previously has shown during batting practices. He really seemed to focus on staying in his lower half, and when he was extended through the baseball is when it really seemed to jump. An average leg kick to load, he gets his hands set early in a good position to hit while the bat angle showed an uphill path with a two-handed finish. It’s easy to project another 15-20 pounds on Clarke as he matures which should incorporate more power into his game. He had his best exit velocity to date off the tee at 92 mph and overall offensively has made strides in his game.
Defensively, Clarke is an above average centre fielder at the moment as he has shown many times over the last couple years that he can go and get in the outfield. The arm has always been the tool that has lacked but again, you can see the improvements and strength he has made over the winter this past Sunday. The footwork and approach was thorough and online, and the arm, long and loose in the back, showed cleaner actions out the hand with proper rotation and carry on the ball. Another measurable to date that has been his best, with a velocity of 86 mph from the outfield. With the National Team this past year, Clarke has shown he can play the corners in the outfield, but when it’s all said and done we envision Clarke patrolling centre for a long time to come.
The evolution of Denzel has come along way since the first time we saw him in 2015 at our Future Game Trials. Then a skinny, weak, uncoordinated Clarke has turned himself into an elite athlete and one of the top players in the country heading into the 2018 season. It’s safe to say that he is still somewhat raw, and nowhere near a finished product, but the main thing is that he continues to improve, continues to change his body for the better, and continues to learn the game and the nuances that come with playing at the highest level. He keeps trending upwards and in the right direction, and the best learning device for Clarke is going to be getting as many reps and as many in game at-bats as possible. A very intriguing mlb prospect this year, it will be fun to follow Clarke as he prepares for live game action this March in Florida with the Junior National Team and take those reps into league play that is scheduled to start late early May in Ontario.