Darren Clarke

Who is Darren Clarke?

Darren Lawrence Clarke is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who played for the Colorado Rockies. After graduating from high school, the Rockies selected him in the 33rd round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft, but he did not sign with them, opting instead to attend South Florida Community College. He was again selected by the Rockies in the 35th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft and was signed by them May 7, 2001, following his sophomore year at SFCC. He stands 6 feet, 8 inches and his playing weight is listed at 235 pounds.

Clarke spent the 2001 season as a starting pitcher for the Casper Rockies of the Pioneer League, compiling a 3-6 record and a 6.02 ERA in 14 starts. In 2002, he was with the Rockies' Northwest League affiliate, Tri-City Dust Devils where he was 4-3 with a 6.98 ERA. In 2003, he was in the starting rotation of the Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic League. In 27 games for the Tourists, he was 8-6 with a 3.83 ERA. The Rockies promoted him to their California League affiliate, Visalia Oaks, in 2004, but an elbow injury limited him to just 8 games with the Oaks.