We start back up with our “top hitters since 2010 bracket” today- this matchup is Wes Clarke (Waynesboro 2019) against Max Wood (Staunton 2017)!

  • Wes Clarke, now a sophomore from South Carolina, was the league’s second best hitter in 2019. In 37 games and 121 at-bats, he hit .364/.500/.645, with 33 runs scored, 14 doubles, a triple, six home runs, 29 RBIs, and an unreal 27/15 BB/K ratio. He finished fifth in the league in batting average, second in OPS, second in on-base percentage, second in slugging percentage, tied for third in walks, third in total bases (with 78), seventh in RBIs, eighth in home runs, third in doubles, and tied for fifth in runs scored. He was an All-Star, was selected to attend the Prospect Showcase, and was named first team All-Valley League at catcher after the season. Perfect Game also named him the second best prospect in the entire league. When he returned to USC in the spring, all he did was hit eight home runs in 56 at-bats (.714 slugging), with 14 runs and 22 RBIs in just 16 games. He was poised to set some records when COVID hit.
  • Max Wood, playing for Staunton, was the third best hitter in the 2017 season. He hit .390/.457/.626 in 123 at-bats, with 33 runs scored, 12 doubles, a triple, five home runs, 21 RBIs, and a 14/19 BB/K ratio. He finished third in the league in batting average, second in OPS, third in OBP, third in slugging percentage, fourth in total bases, tied for third in home runs, third in doubles, 10th in hits, and seventh in runs. He finished in the top five in seven different categories. After two seasons (2015-2016) at San Jacinto, he spent two seasons at Central Florida. He was not drafted.

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And by the way, if you want to read a ton about either the 2015 or 2019 VBL season, be sure to check out this post on the 2019 Valley League Annual!

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Clarke
Wood playing for San Jacinto