Detroit Tigers’ Prospect Max Clark Injures Wrist At Class AA Erie

Max Clark, the Detroit Tigers’ No. 2 overall prospect, left the Erie SeaWolves’ game Tuesday night with an apparent wrist injury.

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft is undergoing tests after swinging and missing at a pitch and wincing in pain. Yahoo Sports reported that his reaction was similar to what Detroit’s No. 1 prospect Max McGonigle displayed when he broke a hamate bone on a swing in 2024.

Clark is part of the Tigers’ impressive group of hitting prospects at Erie who have been so good, it’s eerie. Collectively, the club leads the Eastern League in 13 offensive categories.

Not surprisingly, the SeaWolves have a 66-47 record. Many of the current players have been promoted this summer after helping the West Michigan Whitecaps dominate the High-A Midwest League. The Whitecaps are 78-35 with similar overwhelming offense,

A trio of 20-year-olds, Clark, McGonigle and Josue Briceno, lead the way. Thayron Liranzo, 21, and Max Anderson, 23, provide plenty of help. Those five are all highly ranked by MLB Pipeline. McGonigle is No. 6 and Clark No. 10 among all prospects.

The Tigers spent a total of $11,974,650 on Clark, McGonigle and Anderson in the 2023 MLB Draft. They signed Briceno for $800,000 out of Venezuela at age 17. Liranzo came over from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a deal at the 2024 trading deadline.

Viva Max, Squared

The Tigers believe Anderson and Clark eventually could help the team blaze its’ way to new post-season territory like a modern-day Lewis and Clark. Both have solid skill sets.

LAKELAND, FL: Max Anderson of the Detroit Tigers bats against the Philadelphia Phillies in a spring training game at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Photo by Scott Audette/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

MLB Photos via Getty Images

Anderson, a second-round pick in 2023, has been the steadiest and was recently promoted to Triple-A Toledo. The right-hander got a $1,429,650 signing bonus as the 45th overall selection At Nebraska, he batted .350 over 155 college games.

“All we kept hearing was he can hit,” Tigers Scouting Director Mark Conner told Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic after the draft. “If you go look at the stats and performance this year, that backs it up. He has a very high intense swing that’s looking to do damage. The barrel stays through the zone extremely long. He’s able to drive the ball to all fields.”

Overall in 96 games this year, Anderson has hit .306 with 27 doubles, 16 homers and 70 RBI. He has played passable defense at second base and errorless ball in 12 games at third. His arm is better suited for second, his range plays better at third. His bat likely will determine his future.

Clark was paid $7,697,500 as the third overall pick in 2023. This year, he’s hitting .281 in 94 games overall. He is projected as a fine leadoff hitter and has more walks (81) than strikeouts (78). He also has 11 homers, 57 RBI and 18 stolen bases while playing high-level defense in center field.

The Pure Hitter

McGonigle, picked out of high school in Pennsylvania where he struck out twice and hit .530 as a senior, has excelled as a pro. Paid $2,847,500 as the 37th overall pick in 2023, the shortstop is now ranked as Detroit’s No. 1 prospect by MLB Pipeline.

He has hit like the best all year, batting .331 overall in 68 games with 28 doubles, 13 homers, 65 RBI and once again more walks (44) than strikeouts (32).

McGonigle grew up idolizing second baseman Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies and scouts believe that is the position he is best suited to play.

The Big Boppers

Liranzo and Briceno have had their ups and downs on offense and defense. They have hit some massive homers despite struggling at times to make consistent contact. Both are working hard to be accomplished catchers – though each also seem suited for first base.

Briceno, signed for $800,000 out of Venezuela in 2022, has 19 homers and 71 RBI in 81 games, batting .270. The 6-foot-4 lefty hitter has split time between catcher, first base and DH. He takes great pride in being a catcher, though the organization believes he may be more suited to play first.

The Tigers seem to prefer the 6-foot-2 Liranzo as a receiver. He has played only catcher and DH this year. In previous seasons, he also played first base. While he appears to be better behind the plate, he has regressed somewhat at the plate. The switch hitter, acquired at the 2024 trading deadline from the Los Angeles Dodgers, has 10 homers and 40 RBI in 74 games, hitting only .219.

Other Offense Offerings

Erie’s offense has included other players who have performed well.

• Eduardo Valencia, 25, hit .304 with 11 homers, 40 RBI in 53 games as a catcher/first baseman.
• Justice Bigbee, 26, hit .293 with 11 homers, 56 RBI in 89 games. He’s an outfielder.
• Chris Meyers, 26, has played first, left and right field, batting .270 with 10 homers and 47 RBI in 77 games.
• Jake Holton, 27, played the same three spots as Meyers and has 16 homers, 55 RBI and a .259 average.

The Detroit Tigers’ Future

Detroit has led the AL Central most of the season and appear set to go to the playoffs for a second straight season.

Perhaps one or two of these elite prospects could be added to the roster as reserves, depending on possible injuries.

The entire Erie Connection, however, gives the Tigers a bright offensive outlook to go with the strong pitching of Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and others. Some of these young players will move into the lineup. Some might be used in future trades to fill specific spots.

The Detroit Tigers have a good team destined to get better.