The Auckland Tuatara have continued their signing blitz, with the addition of three promising new prospects for their inaugural season in the Australian Baseball League.
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Zach Clark, Texas Rangers outfielder Eric Jenkins and young Canadian pitcher Brandon Marklund have all committed to the team for their upcoming debut campaign.
Clark was drafted by Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers in 2016 and has spent the past two seasons developing with their minor league affiliates. He will partner with Jenkins in the Tuatara's outfield.
The 21-year-old Jenkins played under Tuatara manager Steve Mintz at the Down East Wood Ducks in single ‘A’ ball, after being drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2015.
He hit .241 across two levels of ‘A’ ball in 2018 and stole 35 bases.
"He can fly," Mintz said. "We like to get him on base, let him steal bases. He can bunt, he can run in the balls and hit them out of the ball park.
"He can be an exciting player to watch, with some of the stuff he can do on the baseball field."
Canada's Marklund will begin his professional career in Auckland, after playing the 2018 season in Tennessee with the Bryan College Lions.
The trio help fill the void left by the withdrawal of Astros third baseman Joe Perez and Rangers outfielder Blaine Prescott, who have both succumbed to injury.
Newshub.