Matthew Clark

From BR Bullpen

Matthew Terry Clark

Bats Left, Throws Right
Height 6' 5", Weight 215 lb.

School Louisiana State University, Riverside Community College
High School Etiwanda High School

Born December 10, 1986 in West Covina, CA USA

The son of Terry Clark, Matthew Clark made his pro debut in 2008.

Matthew was named the 22nd-best prospect in California by Baseball America out of high school; he hit .418 as a senior. Moving on to Riverside Community College, he hit .350 and slugged .620 with 15 homers and 70 RBI in 2007 to lead his team to a state title. He was named First-Team JUCO All-American. The Pittsburgh Pirates chose him in the 28th rouhnd of the 2007 amateur draft but he did not sign.

As a junior at LSU, Clark hit .344/.447/.789 with 28 home runs and 64 RBI. He tied Gordon Beckham for the most homers in NCAA Division I. He was second in the Southeastern Conference in slugging. In the 2008 College World Series, he hit two home runs in eight at-bats. He lost All-SEC honors at 1B to Justin Smoak.

The San Diego Padres chose Clark in the 12th round of the 2008 amateur draft; the signing scout was David Francia. In his pro debut with the Eugene Emeralds, he hit .279/.384/.443 with 32 RBI in 38 games, second on the club in RBI. His 10 errors tied for the lead among Northwest League first basemen.

Clark split 2009 between the Fort Wayne Wizards (.266/.352/.484, 55 RBI in 64 games) and Lake Elsinore Storm (.292/.367/.524). Overall, he hit 35 doubles and 24 home runs, scored 85 times and drove in 101. He had 134 strikeouts in 502 at-bats but drew 61 walks.