Max Clark: Tigers 2024 Minor League Player Of The Year
When asked to describe 19-year-old outfielder Max Clark, High-A West Michigan manager Tony Cappuccilli kept it simple.
“He’s a 19-year-old dude who plays baseball—and he’s good at it,” he said.
Once the Tigers drafted Clark third overall in 2023 and signed him for $7.7 million, the hype began to build. Through it all, the Indiana prep product has remained unfazed.
“He doesn’t get caught up in the hype,” Cappuccilli said. “That doesn’t play into who he is or what he’s trying to do. He’s just trying to play baseball.”
Tigers farm director Ryan Garko echoed Cappuccilli’s sentiments.
“The most impressive thing about Max handling expectations has been his ability to push them aside and focus on his daily routines and processes,” Garko said. “He truly has his priorities in order and has embraced the development process over chasing results.”
Clark hit .279/.372/.421 with nine home runs and 29 stolen bases in 107 games for Low-A Lakeland and West Michigan. He appeared in the Futures Game.
Clark collected a hit in each of his first nine games for the Whitecaps, including four multi-hit games.
“His work ethic is off the charts,” Cappuccilli said. “He has to be told things once. It’s not like he has to be reminded over and over to do things the right way or do them better.
“I think it’s naturally ingrained in him. He doesn’t come out to just check boxes. He’s actually trying to accomplish things, learn from what he’s doing, and let it translate into the game.”
Clark was the High School Player of the Year in 2023.
“It’s been really impressive for a guy his age,” Cappuccilli said, “because I think a lot of guys, they can eyewash it and try to make it look like they’re going through the drills, but he doesn’t.
“He goes through it with a purpose.”
