Clark and McGonigle leave Lakeland with a bang

The Tigers’ future was on full display at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Sunday, as two of the club’s top four prospects said farewell to Single-A Lakeland in style.

Max Clark (No. 1) and Kevin McGonigle (No. 4), who were promoted to High-A West Michigan following Lakeland’s 7-5 win over Dunedin, each belted a homer and posted a multihit performance in their final game with the club.

Right from the jump, the duo put their power on display, with the first blow coming from Clark. MLB’s No. 10 prospect turned on a 2-2 slider from right-hander Gage Stanifer and sent it onto the “License to chill patio” in right field.

The jack marked Clark’s first since the All-Star break, seventh of the season and his third in July; for the month, the 2023 third-overall pick is slashing .410/.489/.769.

In the second inning, it was McGonigle’s turn. MLB’s No. 63 prospect launched a big fly of his own just left of where Clark’s crossed the wall. The three-run shot was his fourth of the season and raised his slash line to .326/.407/.470.

The wallop put the Flying Tigers up 4-0 in the second, but it didn’t last long, because Clark threw his name back into the ring a mere four pitches later with a double that one-hopped the wall.

The Indiana native would later score on a single from Tigers outfield prospect Brett Callahan, making it 5-0.

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Over the next six frames, Clark and McGonigle each added a knock and a stolen base to their lines, with the former posting his fifth three-hit game of the season and finishing 3-for-4 with a walk – a triple shy of the cycle.

McGonigle went 2-for-4, bolstering his .877 OPS, which ranks atop the Florida State League. Clark is not far behind with an .807 OPS, seventh in the league.

Just last weekend, Clark became the fifth player in Lakeland’s history to compete in the All-Star Futures Game. The 19-year-old patrolled center field for the entire contest and went 1-for-4 with a single.

The duo will make their debut for the Whitecaps on Tuesday vs. the Lansing Lugnuts at 6:35 p.m. ET.