Max Clark, the Tigers' No. 2 prospect, was off to a promising start in spring training, making his presence felt in Detroit's first two games. His clutch game-tying RBI against the Orioles was a highlight, even if the game ended in a tie. While Clark isn't in the hunt for a roster spot just yet-unlike Kevin McGonigle, who's eyeing a spot from Double-A Erie-he's certainly looking to make a strong impression.
However, Tuesday's matchup against the Braves was a day Clark would probably like to forget. The spotlight was on him, not just for his top prospect status, but also for the flashy diamond chains he sported in left field. Former MLB pitcher and Braves broadcaster CJ Nitkowski couldn't resist some old-school jabs, commenting on Clark's style choices.
On the field, Clark faced a rough outing. He misjudged a pop-up from Matt Olson in shallow left and then missed a long fly ball from Austin Riley at the warning track, which turned into a ground-rule double.
To add to the struggle, he slipped on a line drive from Ozzie Albies, prompting Nitkowski to remark, "Jeez. Not his day out there."
At the plate, things didn't improve much for Clark. A stumble on a checked swing drew more light-hearted criticism from the Braves' booth: "He can't get back to Lakeland fast enough."
While the broadcasters enjoyed a bit of fun at Clark's expense, it's all part of the game. The young prospect might have had a tough day, but it's just a bump in the road. He's got plenty of time to shake it off and prove why he's one of the Tigers' most talked-about talents.