Milwaukee Brewers: Checking In On Prospect Trent Clark

Lately, we’ve been doing some checkups on the top Milwaukee Brewers prospects. We’ve looked at the No. 10, No. 9, No. 8, and No. 7 prospects and today we check in on the sixth best prospect in the Brewers farm system according to MLBPipeline.com, outfielder Trent Clark.

Trent Clark was the first round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers back in 2015. He currently plays for the High-A Carolina Mudcats and gone through some ups and downs so far in his professional career.

Clark has been injured a lot. Soon after he signed in 2015, Clark crashed headfirst into the outfield wall. That injury kept him out for awhile. Then, in 2016, hamstring injuries caused Clark to make two trips to the disabled list and limited him to 59 games with the Timber Rattlers. This year, Clark seems to finally be healthy and the Milwaukee Brewers can see what they have in him.

The left-handed outfielder is off to a rough start to the year, hitting .232/.351/.355. His on-base percentage is practically the same as his slugging, which is weird to say the least, but let’s look deeper into his numbers.

Clark has just ten extra base hits on the season, including four homers. He strikes out often, with 50 K’s already on the season. Over his last ten games, Clark has gone just 6-32, dropping his average nearly 20 points. But the high on base percentage is due to a ridiculously high amount of walks. He’s drawn a free pass 30 times already in the first two months. So he’s striking out a lot, walking a lot, and has a low batting average. Sounds like a three-true-outcomes hitter, right? Not necessarily.

Clark doesn’t have enough power to become an Adam Dunn-type of outfielder where a team will accept the strikeouts and low average for 40 homers a season. Clark possesses 50-grade power which is about average at maturity. He’s not an all-or-nothing hitter and his hit tool is supposed to be above average, but he hasn’t shown that ability yet. In his 59 games at Low-A, Clark hit just .231, but earned a promotion and is hitting about the same in High-A.

Trent Clark’s Future With The Milwaukee Brewers

Clark’s ceiling is only high if he remains in center field where his plus average and decent power will be valuable for the position. However, a weak throwing arm could limit him to left field where his average power will be less valuable.

Honestly, it’s unlikely that Trent Clark will ever wear a Milwaukee Brewers uniform. Clark is stuck behind Lewis Brinson, Brett Phillips, Ryan Cordell, and Corey Ray. Even though Ray is in Carolina with Clark, Ray has a higher ceiling and greater upside than Clark. There’s simply not enough outfield spots available. By the time Clark is ready for the Majors, the Brewers will be back in contention.

Clark is blocked at the Major League level and will likely be one of the first prospects to be traded when the Milwaukee Brewers become buyers at the deadline again. Clark still has the potential to be a game-changing outfielder for a Major League club, just don’t be surprised if it’s not with the Brewers.

Next: What's Up With Brewers Prospect Lucas Erceg?

Health issues and a low batting average have dogged the beginning of Clark’s professional career. However if he can stay healthy and find himself at the plate, he make it to the Majors rather quickly.