Five-star recruit James Clark commits to Duke baseball after MLB Draft withdrawal

James Clark, a five-star shortstop and top-25 recruit, has withdrawn from the 2026 MLB Draft to commit to Duke University. The announcement strengthens the Blue Devils' 2026 recruiting class, which currently ranks 30th nationally. Clark, ranked as the No. 10 shortstop in the country by Perfect Game, is viewed as one of the best hitters in his class. Duke's baseball program, coming off a disappointing 2026 season with a 26-31 record and a missed NCAA Tournament, hopes Clark's addition can help rebuild the team's competitive identity under new head coach Corey Muscara, who expressed pride in the 2026 recruiting efforts. Clark indicated on social media that he may consider re-entering the MLB Draft in three years.

• 7:00 PMYahoo Sports — 5-star SS withdraws from MLB Draft, commits to Duke