Taylor Clarke

Taylor James Clarke (born May 13, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals.

Amateur career
Clarke attended Broad Run High School in Ashburn, Virginia, where he played baseball, basketball and golf. He began his college career at Towson University. In January 2013, Clarke tore the ulnar collateral ligament of his pitching elbow, and underwent Tommy John surgery. He learned in March that Towson planned on ending their college baseball program, and transferred to the College of Charleston.

Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Clarke in the third round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Diamondbacks and spent his professional season with the Hillsboro Hops of the Low–A Northwest League, where he did not give up a run in 21 innings pitched. Clarke spent the 2016 season with the Single–A Kane County Cougars, High–A Visalia Rawhide, and the Double–A Mobile BayBears, where he posted a combined 12–9 record and 3.31 ERA in 149.1 innings pitched with the three clubs. In 2017, he played for both the Double–A Jackson Generals and the Triple–A Reno Aces, pitching to a combined 12–9 record and 3.35 ERA in 145 total innings between both teams. He spent all of 2018 with Triple–A Reno going 13–8 with a 4.03 ERA.

On November 20, 2018, the Diamondbacks added Clarke to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He opened the 2019 season with Reno. On April 20, he was recalled to the major league roster for the first time. He made his major league debut that afternoon versus the Chicago Cubs, recording three scoreless innings in relief and earning a save. His first big-league win came on May 25 at Oracle Park against the San Francisco Giants. He finished the season with a record of 5–5 in 23 games (15 starts).

Clarke joined a small group of Major League pitchers who picked up a win, loss and save in their first three appearances. In 2020, Clarke pitched to a 4.36 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 43.1 innings pitched across 12 appearances (5 starts).

Clarke made 43 appearances out of the bullpen for the Diamondbacks in 2021, registering a 4.98 ERA with 39 strikeouts across $43 1⁄3$ innings pitched. On November 30, 2021, he was non-tendered by the Diamondbacks, making him a free agent.

Kansas City Royals
On December 1, 2021, Clarke signed a major league contract with the Kansas City Royals. In 47 appearances for the Royals in 2022, he registered a 4.04 ERA with 48 strikeouts and 3 saves across 49.0 innings of work.

Clarke made 58 appearances for Kansas City in 2023, posting a 5.95 ERA with 65 strikeouts and 3 saves across 59.0 innings pitched.

Milwaukee Brewers
On December 14, 2023, the Royals traded Clarke to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for minor leaguers Cam Devanney and Ryan Brady. On March 30, 2024, Clarke underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, ruling him out for 6–8 weeks. He was designated for assignment following the acquisition of Aaron Civale on July 3. Clarke cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Nashville Sounds on July 7.

Personal life
Clarke was born with paralysis of the muscles on the right side of his face.

Clarke and his wife, also named Taylor, have twin sons together.