Cody Clark (baseball)


Douglas Cody Clark is an American professional baseball catcher. He played for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball during the 2013 season. He is currently an advanced scout for the Kansas City Royals.

Playing career

Clark attended Fayetteville High School in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Toronto Blue Jays selected Clark in the 48th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft, but Clark did not sign. He enrolled at the University of Arkansas and played college baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team in 2002 before transferring Wichita State University to play for the Wichita State Shockers baseball team.

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers drafted Clark in the 11th round of the 2003 MLB Draft, and he signed.

Atlanta Braves

Clark played in minor league baseball for the Rangers, then Atlanta Braves, and in independent baseball.

Kansas City Royals

He signed with the Kansas City Royals organization in 2007. After a disappointing 2008 season in Class AA of the minor leagues, Clark considered retirement. He again considered retiring after the 2012 season.

Houston Astros

Clark signed with the Houston Astros organization before the 2013 season. The Astros promoted Clark to the major leagues for the first time on August 23, 2013, when they placed Max Stassi on the disabled list. On September 13, 2013, in a game against the Los Angeles Angels, Clark got his first hit in the Major Leagues off of starter Jason Vargas. He was outrighted off the Astros roster on October 2, 2013.

Coaching career

Clark retired after the 2013 season, and joined the Kansas City Royals as their instant replay coordinator for the 2014 season. During the season, he became the Royals' bullpen catcher. After the 2016 season, he was reassigned to a scout.

Personal

Clark's father, Doug, played minor league baseball for the Oakland Athletics' organization. His wife, Jordan, was pregnant with their first child when he was first promoted to the majors.