A’s Make a Change, Call Up Denzel Clarke Amid Struggles
The Oakland Athletics, currently on a nine-game losing streak, are making adjustments to their roster. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, one of the changes involves calling up their No. 5 prospect, Denzel Clarke.
Clarke, 25, was selected by the A’s in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft. He’s the cousin of Bo Naylor, Josh Naylor, and A’s minor league player Myles Maylor. This season, Clarke has played 31 games in Triple-A, hitting .286 with a .436 on-base percentage. He’s shown good plate discipline, drawing 23 walks to go along with 29 strikeouts.
While he has yet to hit a home run this season, despite playing in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, power isn’t a primary aspect of his game. His career high for home runs is 15, which he reached in 2022, and he’s hit 12 and 13 in the last two seasons.
The A’s have been underperforming, and recent reports suggest the team needs to upgrade its roster to make strides. With a thin pitching market at the moment, improving the defense in certain positions could be their focus. Center field, in particular, is a spot that could use an upgrade.
Clarke, known for his speed and defensive abilities, is considered a 60 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale, which should help bolster the team’s outfield. His arrival could be a response to the struggles of JJ Bleday, who seemed like a potential core piece last season but has had a rough year. Bleday is hitting just .204 with a .291 on-base percentage and six home runs, along with a wRC+ of 87 (league average is 100). Over his last seven games, Bleday has slumped to a .087 batting average and a .125 on-base percentage.
Defensively, Bleday has been one of the worst in baseball. According to Outs Above Average on Baseball Savant, his -5 OAA ranks him in the second percentile among all players. In fact, of the 78 players with at least ten center field attempts this season, he ranks last.
With the A’s struggling, it’s clear that changes are necessary, especially as the season slips away. Clarke’s athleticism could provide a significant defensive upgrade over Bleday, although there’s a possibility Bleday stays with the team, perhaps as a platoon player or coming off the bench in more favorable matchups.
If Bleday does remain in a platoon role, veteran Seth Brown, a left-handed hitter who can also play center, might be another option to share duties in the outfield. The A’s now have some decisions to make as they try to revitalize their roster.
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