Max Clark didn’t take long to knock out a major milestone in his burgeoning career.
The 21-year-old Detroit Tigers rookie – less than 24 hours after going 3-for-4 in his MLB debut against the Athletics in West Sacramento, California – picked up his first major-league home run on Saturday, Aug. 1.
With no outs and Spencer Torkelson on first in the top of the sixth inning, Clark launched the seventh pitch of his at-bat – an 85.5 mph sweeper from right-hander Jack Perkins – over the wall in right-center field.
Clark’s first career homer arced high over the field – with a 35-degree launch angle and a 99.3 mph exit velocity – and finally landed 387 feet from home at Sutter Health Park, the Triple-A ballpark the Athletics are sharing with the Sacramento RiverCats until their park in Las Vegas opens in 2028.
The homer gave the Tigers a 6-2 lead over the A’s, with Gleyber Torres also hitting a two-run shot on Saturday night.
Clark, the Tigers’ top pick in the 2023 MLB Draft (at No. 3 overall), wasn’t the first 2023 classmate to homer on Saturday, either. Teammate – and fellow 2023 first-rounder (at No. 37) – Kevin McGonigle homered to lead off the game, his second homer in as many nights vs. the Athletics.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Max Clark, Detroit Tigers rookie, hits first MLB home run against A’s
Reporting by Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
