Chevez Clarke is one of the top prep outfielders in the 2010 class, hailing from Marietta, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. Clarke features the tools to be a first-division starter and an excellent leadoff hitter. Starting with his bat, he features a potential plus hit tool that could project for averages over .300 for an extended period of time. He has a knack for putting the bat on the ball, and he has enough natural strength to spray line drives all over the diamond. The best part is that he’s fairly equally skilled from both sides of the plate, as most prep switch-hitters are lagging behind on one side. However, he profiles well on both sides of the plate, and he should continue to hit both lefties and righties well as he goes up the ladder. He doesn’t profile for a lot of power, though he could run into 10-15 homers in his prime years, as he’s not lacking core strength. He’s built solidly through the middle, and once he gains a handle on Major League pitching, he could turn a few loose. Defensively, he has all the tools to be a true Gold Glove center fielder, featuring plus range and a plus arm, using his plus-plus speed. He’s essentially what every team is looking for from its center fielder. He’s a possibility as a late first-rounder, though a late fade in the spring means he fits better in the second or third round. His Georgia Tech commitment may mean he wants seven figures, so if enough teams don’t see the value in his bat, then he could drop quickly, even with his plus tools.
