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Clark was widely regarded as a likely top-three-round selection, but the 18-year-old prep shortstop from California has withdrawn just hours before the draft. He’ll instead head to Duke University to begin his collegiate career.

It’s a massive injury bombshell with less than one week remaining until the MLB Draft. The 6-foot-9 Massachusetts prep lefty was hitting triple-digits routinely this spring following last year’s internal brace procedure on his elbow. The 18-year-old is committed to Texas and could ultimately wind up heading to college if he slips far enough in the draft due to injury concerns. He was universally-regarded as a top-25 range selection prior to this latest development.

With just a few hours remaining before Washington officially goes on the clock, the consensus industry-wide is that Holliday, Anderson and Willits will likely be the top picks in the 2025 MLB Draft. Holliday — the younger brother of Orioles standout Jackson Holliday and son of former big-league star Matt Holliday — has been universally-regarded as the likely top pick for months. The 18-year-old prep shortstop out of Oklahoma is bigger than his brother and packs some serious power upside. Anderson, a collegiate southpaw from LSU, would likely reach the majors at some point next year, if that’s the most important variable to the Nationals. Meanwhile, Willits — the son of former major-leaguer Reggie Willits — is only 17 years old and might end up being the best player in the entire class if he continues on his current trajectory.

Knight made the announcement on his personal Twitter account. He was considered a consensus top-100 prospect, and a likely second-round selection, entering the 2021 MLB Draft, but has decided to take himself out of consideration. The 18-year-old Washington high school outfielder will enroll at UCLA.