The Detroit Tigers have signed outfielder Max Clark, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, to an under-slot bonus.
The 18-year-old, a left-handed hitter from Franklin Community High School in Indiana, signed with the Tigers for a $7.7 million bonus, according to MLB.com’s Jim Callis. The value of the No. 3 overall pick equaled $8,341,700.
He is represented by Wasserman agent Sam Samardzija.
“He’s an exciting player,” said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, who met Clark during his June 13 visit to Comerica Park. “I spent a little bit of time with him and learned his personality a little bit. I mean, you read up on him, and he’s easy to find, just Google him. But he’s a tremendous talent. I think our guys did an unbelievable job of looking at all angles, at him and others. He immediately becomes one of our top prospects.”
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Now that Clark has signed, officially leaving his college commitment to Vanderbilt in the past, he will begin his professional career at the Tigers’ spring training complex in Lakeland, Florida.
“We think Max is an elite talent,” Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said July 9. “He was the best player on our board at that pick, and we are thrilled that he got to our pick. We think Max is a five-tool player. I think that label gets thrown around way too much in our industry. We think Max has all five.”
The Tigers, as of Monday afternoon, still need to sign several members of their 2023 draft class, including No. 37 overall pick Kevin McGonigle. McGonigle, a shortstop from Monsignor Bonner High School in Pennsylvania, is committed to Auburn.
Teams have until 5 p.m. July 25 to sign their draft selections.
The Tigers already signed No. 45 overall pick Max Anderson, a second baseman from Nebraska.
In his senior season, Clark hit .646 with nine doubles, five triples, six home runs, 52 walks and five strikeouts in 28 games with Franklin Community High School. The true center fielder was named the 2023 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.