Matthew Clarke

Profile Views: 801
Sport: Boy's Baseball
HS Grad Year: 2016
Recruitment Status: Signed
Position 1: Second Base
Position 2: Shortstop
Ht. / Wt.: 6' / 178 lbs.
School Jersey #: 25
Club Jersey #:
School: American River College
Location: Sacramento, CA
Club Team:
Other Sports:
GPA: 4.00
SAT: 1780
ACT: 24
Transcript: Yes
Notes:
PERSONAL STATEMENT
I'm a very driven person and I focus on being the best I can possibly be in whatever I do. My drive and work ethic has helped me be the person that I am today. I tend to hold myself to a much higher standard than most. I realize that nobody is perfect but nobody ever said that I couldn't try. My work ethic doesn't stop with baseball, I push myself to be the best in all aspects of life. Because of this I received a 4.0 GPA in my first semester at American River College.

REFERENCES		  

Greg Olsen
Title: Varsity Head Coach 2015
Organization / School: Bella Vista High School
Phone Number: (916) 765-8338
Email: olsengreg@att.net
Website link: www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=bvbroncos
Recommendation: Matthew played Varsity Baseball this past season for the Bella Vista Broncos. He made Second Team All-League and was awarded Scholar Athlete due to his effort in the classroom. Matthew is one of the hardest working players ever to come through the Bella Vista program. Matthew is not afraid to work and his work ethic is what all the Coaches admire and respect about him. He goes ONE HUNDRED percent both in practice and on game day. Due to this work ethic, Matthew has the ability to make adjustments on the fly. Not every high school player is able to adjust to game day situations. Matt is capable of making these adjustments both on the field and during his at bats. Matt is capable of obtaining information and is always receptive to all of his Coach’s directions and strategies. He understands the importance of being a team player and is respected by both his coaches and teammates. Matt has a great passion for the game of baseball and is dedicated to playing the game at the collegiate level. Most importantly, Matt understands the importance of being a Student-Athlete. He is able to manage his time to get his work in on the field and most importantly in the classroom. Wherever Matt is given the opportunity to play baseball at the next level, that school will be blessed to have this young man as a representative of their program.
 

Matt Walbeck, Former MLB Player and Coach
Title: WBA President 2015
Organization / School: Walbeck Baseball Academy
Phone Number: (916) 752-2282
Email: matt@walbeckbaseball.com
Website link: www.walbeckbaseball.com/
Recommendation: I have had the pleasure of coaching Matt Clarke the past three years and feel privileged to have done so. He shows great respect for those around him and always gives nothing but his best in the classroom, on the field, and off the field.

On the field he plays hard while staying focused and maintaining a calm disposition. He is a leader and very coachable. Matt arrives early and stays late making sure there are no more tasks at hand with regard to field maintenance and personal conditioning or baseball specific drills. I appreciate the consistent attitude he brings to the ball park. He loves to play baseball and it shows.

He is a right handed batter who has double power to the gaps. He tends to hit balls center to left field, but does occasionally hit behind the runner. He has been improving steadily this summer while playing for my 18U team, and has competed against some of the best players in Northern California. Some of the wood bat tournaments he has played in are, Nor Cal NIT, Zoots, and Nor Cal Sacramento.

He runs hard out of the box and I have timed him 4.30 down the line. He slides hard and has a quick first step. He loves going first to third on routine singles and will look to turn a single into a double.

Matt throws right and plays second, shortstop, and third base, with second and third being his primary positions. He is athletic and can play outfield or even catch in a pinch. At times he will have a tendency to field the ball a little deep causing him to get stuck in his transfer, but when he fields it out front and gets through the ball he is more accurate with his throws.

As of 7/16/15 in 12 games Matt is batting .417, 15 for 36 with 2 doubles, 7 RBI’s and 9 runs scored. He has an OBP of .475. He has 3 walks with 4 strike outs and 6 stolen bases while being caught twice.

If you have any specific question about Matt please do not hesitate to contact me.
 

Mike Gomez
Title: Varsity Assistant Coach 2015
Organization / School: Bella Vista HS
Phone Number: (916) 474-0940
Email: sportspix@sbcglobal.net
Recommendation: My name is Mike Gomez and I am a Varsity Assistant baseball coach for Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks, California. I am writing this letter to recommend Matt Clarke for your baseball program.

Matt is 2016 grad and has a strong desire to play college baseball. I had the pleasure of coaching Matt last summer as he played for Walbeck Baseball Academy. He also played this spring on the Bella Vista Varsity baseball team. Matt was the everyday second baseman. He is a very coachable player and has a thirst for baseball knowledge.

He is a right handed hitting second baseman who has the ability to play shortstop and third base as well. He has the ability to play outfield as well. Matt can hit to all fields, bunts well, and has good instincts on the bases. He is a solid team player who does whatever is best for the team. Defensively, Matt is solid and is always working on his skills. Matt is a gamer and wish I could have 9 of him on the field.
Additional Information: Walbeck Baseball Academy
Assistant Coach College Prep Elite Team 2014
 

Chris Lee
Title: JV Head Coach 2014
Organization / School: Bella Vista High School
Phone Number: (916) 717-3517
Email: 1296cjag@gmail.com
Recommendation: I have had the privilege of coaching Matt Clarke for the last two seasons, both at the freshmen and JV level at Bella Vista HS in Fair Oaks, CA.

From the first day I met Matt, I knew right away he was different. His attitude and spirit is contagious. He’s 100 % baseball and is always picking up his fellow teammates with support and positive encouragement. Matt’s abilities on the baseball field have been on the rise since his freshmen year. He works hard at all areas of the game and conditions his body as well. Last season Matt primarily played SS for us, but he can play the entire infield and is just as good in all OF positions. He has a great glove with soft hands, great range, and a very strong arm. He can also track fly balls with the best of them. Matt batted in the 3-hole for us and was perfect in that role hitting .340 for the season.

I am most impressed with Matt’s leadership on and off the baseball field. Matt has a high GPA in advance classes and I am always amazed with how he balances his time with baseball and in the classroom. Matt has never been, nor will he ever be, an issue in the dugout. He leads by example, never taking a bad at bat into the field, or an error in the field to the plate. No matter what, I could always count on Matt to give his best even if he was not 100%.

It was an absolute privilege to coach Matt and I look forward to his next two years at Bella Vista HS. He is, and always will be, one of my favorite players to have coached and I wish him the best.
 

Matt Walbeck, Former MLB Player and Coach
Title: Director of College Prep. Teams 2014
Organization / School: Walbeck Baseball Academy
Phone Number: (916) 752-2282
Email: matt@walbeckbaseball.com
Website link: www.walbeckbaseball.com/
Recommendation: Matt Clarke is a hard working, hard nosed player who gives his best on every pitch. Matt is primarily an infielder but can also play outfield. He has good speed on the base paths. He finds a way to put the bat on the ball and shows gap power at times.