Asheville Christian Academy alum Bailey Clark.
Former Asheville Christian Academy pitcher Bailey Clark was selected in Friday’s fifth round of the Major League Baseball draft.
The Chicago Cubs used the 164th overall selection to take Clark, who is a right-hander out of Duke University.
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DURHAM, N.C. – Duke baseball junior right-handed pitcher Bailey Clark was taken by the Chicago Cubs in the fifth round (No. 164 overall) of the 2016 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft Friday.
Clark is the first current Blue Devil picked in the 2016 MLB Draft. In addition, Clark is the ninth Blue Devil and eighth Duke pitcher drafted under head coach Chris Pollard.
“Bailey is one of the most gifted players physically I’ve ever coached,” Pollard said. “The combination of his athleticism and arm strength gives him the opportunity to absolutely pitch in the Major Leagues. He has worked very hard to be in this position and we’re excited to see what the future holds for Bailey.”
Clark led the Blue Devils and ranked sixth in the ACC in strikeouts per game (9.71) this season. After seeing limited time as a freshman in 2014, Clark joined the Blue Devils’ weekend rotation the past two seasons. Over the past three seasons, he posted a 4.31 ERA in 34 appearances, striking out 120 batters in 121.0 innings.
Clark was named an alternate for the 2015 U.S. Collegiate National Team and joined the squad for its five-game series against Cuba July 1-6, 2015 in Cary, N.C. He made two appearances with Team USA, coming out of the bullpen in both. Clark was the second Blue Devil to compete with the U.S. Collegiate National Team, joining former Duke right-hander and current Toronto Blue Jay Marcus Stroman in that distinction.
More on this story to come…
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