Four years later, the haze around Ian Clarkin still has not cleared. The talent and drawbacks, though, still are easy to spot.
This season has mirrored the lefty’s first few years in the Yankees’ system: He impresses until he can’t take the mound any longer.
Clarkin, a 22-year-old out of San Diego, returned to High-A Tampa on Thursday following a disabled list stint that lasted three weeks. In three innings, he struck out five and allowed three hits and no runs, showing off his big-time curveball and low-90s fastball. In Clarkin’s first start since he experienced shoulder soreness, the crowd for the Tampa Yankees-Jupiter Hammerheads game included Vice President of Player Development Gary Denbo, a sign of how closely the franchise is watching its frustrating starter.