South Carolina Baseball alum to participate in offseason Home Run Derby this weekend

South Carolina baseball fans have enjoyed a week of big news on the professional Gamecock front.

Jordan Montgomery and the Texas Rangers toppled former USC teammate Christian Walker and the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series, Walker won a fielding award and was nominated for another, and 2023 MLB All-Star Whit Merrifield was just nominated as a finalist for the American League Silver Slugger award for utility players.

Now, another former Gamecock who had a tremendous year in Double-A with the Biloxi Shuckers of the Milwaukee Brewers organization will be in the spotlight this weekend.

Wes Clarke, who led the Southern League in home runs this season with 26 long balls, will participate in the Arizona Fall League Home Run Derby. The Derby will be held in Mesa, Arizona and will be live-streamed on MLB.com at 9:30 PM.

He will be joined in the Derby by Kevin Alcantara (Tennessee Smokies/Chicago Cubs), Kyle Manzardo (Akron Rubber Ducks/Cleveland Guardians), Ivan Melendez (Amarillo Sod Poodles/Arizona Diamondbacks), Damiano Palmegiani (New Hampshire Fisher Cats/Toronto Blue Jays), Gabriel Rincones Jr. (Reading Fightin’ Phils/Philadelphia Phillies), Kala’i Rosario (Wichita Wind Surge, Minnesota Twins), and Aaron Sobato (Wichita Wind Surge, Minnesota Twins).

Clarke was a major power threat during his South Carolina baseball career, as well, clubbing 32 home runs in 301 at-bats in garnet and black. Despite his limited opportunities (he was a backup one season, and the Covid-19 pandemic shortened another), Clarke is tied for 17th in South Carolina Gamecock history in long balls and has a better HR/AB ratio than anyone ahead of him on the list.

Now a C/1B/DH option in the Brewers organization, Clarke will have the opportunity to earn his way up to Triple-A next season to play with the Nashville Sounds. If called up to Nashville, he would be reunited with former Gamecock teammate Noah Campbell. Both Campbell and Clarke would be candidates for Big League call-ups next season if things go well as the Brewers need offensive help.