Former Braves Scout and Executive Roy Clark Passes Away at 68
Roy Clark, a highly respected baseball scout and executive who spent over 40 years in the sport, has died at the age of 68.
Clark dedicated 25 years of his career to the Atlanta Braves, playing a key role in drafting and signing several franchise cornerstones, including Freddie Freeman, Brian McCann, Jason Heyward, Adam Wainwright, Charlie Morton, and Craig Kimbrel. Widely regarded as one of the premier scouts of his era, he later held prominent roles with the Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Kansas City Royals.
Kansas City Royals executive vice president and general manager J.J. Picollo paid tribute to Clark, stating:
“Roy Clark was not only an exceptional scout but a remarkable person who cared deeply about the game and the people in it. His passion and knowledge left an unforgettable mark on the entire baseball community.”
A native of North Carolina, Clark played college baseball at UNC before being drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 1977. After four seasons as a minor league player, he transitioned to coaching and then scouting, beginning his professional scouting career with Seattle and Cleveland before joining Atlanta in 1989.
During his time with the Braves, Clark rose to become director of scouting (2000–2009), overseeing drafts that helped shape Atlanta’s competitive rosters. After leaving the Braves, he served as assistant GM and vice president of player personnel with the Nationals, contributing to the drafting of Bryce Harper in 2010.
In 2022, longtime friend Dayton Moore, then a Royals executive, brought Clark to Kansas City, reuniting him with fellow former Braves scouting director Brian Bridges. Their close partnership was well known in baseball circles.
Following news of his passing, tributes poured in from across Major League Baseball, honoring Clark’s contributions to the game and his reputation as a mentor and friend.
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