Athletics Calling Up Major Prospect During 9-Game Losing Streak
The Athletics have fallen on tough times as of late, losing nine consecutive games and falling to last in the AL West with a 22-29 record. As a result, the team is attempting to shake things up as they are calling up one of their top prospects. Let’s take a deeper dive into who it is and what to expect out of him going forward to begin his MLB career.
Athletics Calling Up Denzel Clarke
The Athletics are making a significant roster move as they are calling up center fielder Denzel Clarke from their Triple-A affiliate Las Vegas Aviators on Thursday night, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The 25-year-old center fielder has been producing well at the plate this season as he has a .855 OPS with zero home runs, 21 RBI, and seven stolen bases on eight attempts over 31 games. He has elevated throughout the system quickly and is a dominant defensive center fielder.
Fans may remember him as a member of Team Canada during the World Baseball Classic in 2023, but this is far from the first call-up for the Athletics this season. The team has not made this move official and we do not know the corresponding move to get him on the 26-man roster. JJ Bleday has been the everyday center fielder for the team this season but has struggled at the plate and the team is looking to bolster the roster a bit more.
According to Fangraphs, Clarke is the fifth-ranked prospect in the organization and the 72nd-ranked player in Triple-A this season. He is expected to be an everyday player for the Athletics when he is officially called up and can make his MLB debut as soon as Friday night at home against the Philadelphia Phillies.
