Phil Clarke

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #162 prospect in 2019 draft
  Clarke ranked No. 166 on the BA 500 coming out of high school, with plenty of scouts appreciating his lefthanded swing and power potential. But he was a strong commitment to Vanderbilt and there were plenty of questions about whether he would stick at catcher long term. Clarke didn't allay those concerns in an impressive freshman season, when he filled the DH role while junior Stephen Scott was the Commodores' primary catcher. Clarke caught only 13 games that year, but this spring Scott moved back to the outfield and first base while an improved Clarke has been the team's regular backstop. Clarke is more consistent as a receiver and he's more durable this season. A below-average receiver in high school, Clarke now is an average receiver. He has a below-average throwing arm, but he has thrown out 37 percent of basestealers in 2019. Clarke's bat has long been his calling card. His swing can get a little long at times, but he has solid bat speed and power potential, giving him a chance to be an average hitter with average power. If Clarke can catch, he would make a very valuable bat-first catcher. But if he has to move off the position, he's not ideally suited for first base because he's only 5-foot-11. Clarke is a draft-eligible sophomore, giving him plenty of leverage this June.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: An offensive-minded catcher at Vanderbilt, Clarke hit .308/.388/.480 as a draft-eligible sophomore in 2019 and signed with the Blue Jays for $497,5000 as a ninth-round pick. He made his pro debut in the short-season Northwest League and got his only game action in 2020 at instructional league, where he was one of the top hitters before he pulled a hamstring toward the end of camp.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Clarke moves well in the batter's box, with explosive movements in a quick lefthanded swing and a knack for finding the barrel. An intelligent hitter with a good eye for the strike zone, Clarke showed up to instructional league bigger and stronger and began posting higher exit velocities than in previous years. He has never been a big power threat, but the added strength and barrel awareness give him a chance for 15-20 home runs. Clarke needs work defensively. He's not a great receiver, although his hands and blocking ability could be good enough. There are more questions about his throwing on account of his below-average arm strength and long release.
  
  THE FUTURE: Clarke has to stick behind the plate to have a major league role, which would likely be an offensive-oriented backup. Low Class A is probably his next step.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Clarke ranked No. 166 on the BA 500 coming out of high school, with plenty of scouts appreciating his lefthanded swing and power potential. But he was a strong commitment to Vanderbilt and there were plenty of questions about whether he would stick at catcher long term. Clarke didn't allay those concerns in an impressive freshman season, when he filled the DH role while junior Stephen Scott was the Commodores' primary catcher. Clarke caught only 13 games that year, but this spring Scott moved back to the outfield and first base while an improved Clarke has been the team's regular backstop. Clarke is more consistent as a receiver and he's more durable this season. A below-average receiver in high school, Clarke now is an average receiver. He has a below-average throwing arm, but he has thrown out 37 percent of basestealers in 2019. Clarke's bat has long been his calling card. His swing can get a little long at times, but he has solid bat speed and power potential, giving him a chance to be an average hitter with average power. If Clarke can catch, he would make a very valuable bat-first catcher. But if he has to move off the position, he's not ideally suited for first base because he's only 5-foot-11. Clarke is a draft-eligible sophomore, giving him plenty of leverage this June.