Cody Clark

Douglas Cody Clark

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 200 lb.
• Schools University of Arkansas, Wichita State University
• High School Fayetteville (AR) High School
• Debut August 23, 2013
• Final Game September 25, 2013
• Born September 14, 1981 in Fayetteville, AR USA

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Biographical Information

After a decade in the minors, catcher Cody Clark reached the big league summit for 16 games with the Houston Astros in 2013. His father, Doug, played five seasons in the minors and later was a college coach.

Originally selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 48th round of the 2000 amateur draft, Clark did not sign, opting for college. Following two years at Arkansas (hitting .320/.386/.453 in 2002), he transferred to Wichita State after his father was let go as Razorbacks hitting coach. Cody hit .320/.366/.513 for Wichita State in 2003 and was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 11th round of the 2003 amateur draft (the scout was Mike Grouse). Cody debuted with the Spokane Indians, hitting .209/.287/.310. After spending the entire 2004 campaign with the Clinton LumberKings (.229/.332/.307, .995 fielding percentage in 55 games, backing up Kevin Richardson), he appeared in just 6 games for Clinton the next year (1 for 17, 6 walks) before being released and moving on to the San Diego Surf Dawgs of the independent Golden Baseball League. He batted .292/.381/.447 with 51 runs scored and 48 RBI in 73 games for San Diego. Following the season, Clark was signed by the Atlanta Braves and spent 2006 with the Rome Braves, hitting .296/.377/.421 in 74 games. He was superb defensively (.998 fielding percentage, 40% of opponent base-stealers thrown out), tying Nelson Robledo for the best fielding percentage among South Atlantic League backstops.

After that, he was released and moved on to the Kansas City Royals organization. In 2007, he was with the Wilmington Blue Rocks (.242/.294/.331 in 45 games) and Omaha Royals (2-for-7, a double and a home run). The next year, he hit only .184/.234/.330 in 40 games for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals and was 2-for-3 with a triple and homer for Omaha. In 2009, he did better for the Naturals (.304/.366/.497, 33 runs scored, 32 RBI in 66 games) and Omaha (4-for-8, a double, 2 walks), while making a pair of scoreless appearances as a pitcher for the Naturals (1 1/3 innings, a hit, a walk, a strikeout). In 2010, he hit .255/.321/.386 and fielded .996 for Omaha. With Omaha, now the Omaha Storm Chasers, in 2011, he batted .233/.293/.384 in 51 games and fielded .985. He fielded .994 but hit just .180/.246/.268 for the 2012 Storm Chasers.

He joined the Houston Astros system in 2013 and spent most of the year with the AAA Oklahoma City RedHawks (.217/.258/.273) before being called up to the majors in late August. He made his big league debut on August 23rd against the Toronto Blue Jays, striking out against Casey Janssen in his only at-bat. He began his career 0-for-25 before a single off Jason Vargas on September 13, coming around to score on a Brandon Barnes hit. He finished his major league career 4-for-38 (.105) with the lone run scored and one extra-base hit, a double off Cody Allen. Cody retired at season's end, joining the Kansas City Royals organization as video replay coordinator, later doing time as their bullpen catcher before becoming an advance scout.

Related Sites

• Cody Clark on mlb.com