Brett Bateman and Max Clark Are Making Their MLB Mark — But Rookie of the Year May Already Be Out of Reach

In the final month of an MLB season that has offered as captivating a Rookie of the Year race in both leagues, fans are being treated to a glimpse of what the 2027 class could become.

The days after the trade deadline gave players like Brett Bateman of the Blue Jays and Max Clark of the Tigers a chance to debut and make a strong impression right away. Both former top prospects are proving that they belong, and their place in the starting lineup appears to be almost a lock for 2027.

With their early call-up, both Bateman and Clark might lose their opportunity to compete for the American League Rookie of the Year in 2027. Bateman, currently a fixture in the leadoff spot for the Jays, is hitting .314 in just over 80 at-bats. He has also contributed off the field as well exemplifying the kind of personality that can help shape the foundation and clubhouse of a team that has battled with its identity this season.

Most notably, Buck Martinez, the legendary Blue Jays announcer and former catcher, publicly stated after receiving his honorary “Level of Excellence” commemoration:

“We're walking into the dugout, down in the batting cage, there's a guy, and I see him running up the stairs toward me. And he stuck his hand out, and he said, 'I'm Brett Bateman.' And I said, 'I know who you are.' He goes, 'Congratulations.' He said, 'It's very special what you've done.'”

Buck further acknowledged:

“That blew me away. He didn't know me from Adam. I've never had any contact with him before. But he took the time to say how much he appreciated what I did. And I told Paul Beeston, and I certainly told John Schneider, I said, 'You've got a special kid right there, to take the time to see an old man and say thank you very much and congratulations.' That was pretty awesome.”

The addition of players such as Bateman and Clark, who, like Bateman, is starting every day in center field and has shown flashes of power, with two home runs and an OPS hovering around .800, has been a seamless transition.

What might be slightly unfortunate, at least from a fan's perspective, is that both of these talented outfielders will likely barely breach their eligibility for Rookie of the Year in 2027. Bateman might end up just shy of the 130 at-bat limit, while Clark, who as of September 1 had already hit the 100-at-bat mark.

It’s a small tidbit of information that undoubtedly will get lost in the annals of baseball folklore. Still, it is worth noting that perhaps if these guys were called up earlier, they’d be right in the mix of a riveting Rookie of the Year conversation right now.

Bateman No Longer Blocked

Bateman, of course, was essentially stuck in Triple-A Iowa with the Cubs organization, having Seiya Suzuki, Pete Crowe-Armstrong, and Ian Happ  arguably the three best outfielders in baseball, as fixtures in the Wrigley outfield. The Cubs traded for the Jays’ former ace pitcher Kevin Gausman, and probably with reluctance, gave Toronto its new starting center fielder for years to come.

Clark’s arrival to the show was highly profiled and anticipated after he canceled his verbal commitment to Vanderbilt as the top high school draft prospect in the U.S. He opted for the 2023 MLB Draft instead and was selected third overall by the Tigers.

Both players have created a buzz with their respective clubs, but increasingly, due to timing, it appears the Rookie of the Year award might not be among the glowing hardware they'll accumulate over the next decade or so.

As it stands this season, Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart is taking MLB by storm, with a remarkable 105 RBI (first in MLB), and 31 home runs, with a full month remaining in the season. Honorable mention has to go to New York Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean, who, despite a disappointing Mets season, has emerged as the team’s ace. There is also Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt, who, from Opening Day onward, has impressed his coaches and peers with his bat and Gold Glove-caliber defense, including a 425-foot home run in his second MLB at-bat.

Clark & McGonigle Building Detroit "Up The Middle"

On the American League side, Clark’s teammate and Detroit shortstop Kevin McGonigle, who coincidentally was also drafted straight out of high school as the Tigers' additional late first-round pick in 2023, has risen as the favorite. The slick-fielding McGonigle has been a steady presence in all facets of the game. He stands as the favorite, just ahead of Cleveland’s All-Star lefty starter Parker Messick.

Now that rosters are expanding, we get a look at some highly touted prospects who, for years, have had their vast fanbases follow their journey and climb through the minor leagues on social media.

Catcher Ethan Salas, whom in 2023, the San Diego Padres craftily scooped up in the international signing pool as a 16-year-old, is now, at age 20, called up to make his much-anticipated big-league debut.

The most electrifying debut in MLB history took place fittingly at Wrigley Field last month, when Cardinals outfielder Joshua Baez crushed three home runs in his first three at-bats to begin his MLB career. Baez continues to rake, but one exciting fact to note is that with just 50 at-bats, he will more than likely be eligible to enter the Rookie of the Year race, along with Salas next season.

For Bateman and Clark, while discarding the possibility of Rookie of the Year, fans can continue to enjoy the fact that they appear to be here to stay. Maybe their future pursuits will be towards other accolades and accomplishments, like a batting title for Bateman, and some MVP votes for Clark. Time will tell.