All-Star Futures Game invite part of rapid rise for Lansing Lugnuts outfielder Denzel Clarke
Denzel Clarke dabbled in a little bit of everything during his childhood growing up in Ontario.
There was time spent doing gymnastics and figure skating. He played soccer and volleyball and found a love for racquet sports like tennis and badminton.
But baseball was never part of the equation until he was 10 years old when he stumbled upon the sport while hanging around his cousins, Josh and Noah Naylor.
Six years after that introduction, Clarke was told he could really go somewhere in the sport by one of his coaches. And that's when Clarke really started working.
Things have taken off since for the 22-year old Lansing Lugnuts outfielder, who is regarded as the No. 14 prospect in the Oakland Athletics' system. Clarke, who was selected in the fourth round of the MLB draft last July, received another big honor recently when he was selected to represent the American League in the MLB SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.
He will be part of Saturday's contest scheduled to take place at Dodger Stadium.
"It's really exciting," Clarke said. "My mom has always told me no matter what I do, just always put 100% effort into it. I didn't know what sport I wanted to play growing up. I stumbled across baseball.
"Ever since I started playing, I tried to give it my best and tried to work hard. It's really cool seeing the fruit of my labor and seeing the different opportunities that God has given me through this."
Clarke's selection comes amid a strong first full season of professional baseball. He hit .295 with 14 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 26 RBIs and 14 stolen bases at Low-A Stockton before getting promoted to Lansing in mid-June. He has two doubles, two home runs and six RBIs through 13 games with the Lugnuts.
"I'm excited to go out there and play ball with a lot of great players and great competition," Clarke said. "It's going to be a really fun experience overall."
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Clarke credits the people in his support system for the role they've played in his rise. That includes his cousins, who are making their marks in the game. Josh Naylor has contributed in the majors for the Cleveland Guardians this season, while Bo Naylor is playing in Triple-A for the Columbus Clippers.
"Whenever I've had a need for advice or some questions, they've always been able to answer them," Clarke said. "They've always been great people in my life and family to have in my corner."
Clarke hopes his recent promotion to Lansing and his opportunity to play in the Futures Game serve as more big steps in his rapid rise in baseball.
"I always have my long-term goals, but I'll stick to the short-term ones for now,," Clarke said. "I want to show up every day, give my best and continue to grow as a player and a teammate and as a person."
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Lansing Lugnuts' Denzel Clarke selected for MLB All-Star Futures Game
