Former Astros, Brewers Prospect Retires at Age 26

Wes Clarke, a power-hitting first baseman, calls it a career after five seasons in Minor League Baseball.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Wes Clarke, a 26-year-old first baseman who spent most of his career in the Milwaukee Brewers' minor league system, has retired from professional baseball. Clarke, who was traded to the Houston Astros last June, played 450 minor league games over five seasons, hitting 84 home runs and posting an .821 OPS, but never made it to the major leagues.

Why it matters

Clarke was once considered a promising power-hitting prospect, ranking as high as the Brewers' No. 25 prospect in 2024. His retirement at a relatively young age highlights the challenges and uncertainty that minor league players face in trying to break through to the majors, even with solid minor league production.

The details

After an impressive college career at the University of South Carolina, where he was a consensus All-American, Clarke signed with the Brewers as a 10th-round pick in the 2021 draft. He spent the majority of his professional career in the Brewers' minor league system, before being traded to the Astros last June. However, with a logjam at first base at the major league level, Clarke's opportunities in Houston may not have been particularly appealing, leading to his decision to retire.

  • Clarke retired on Friday, February 7, 2026, just before the start of spring training.

The players

Wes Clarke

A 26-year-old first baseman who spent five seasons in Minor League Baseball, primarily with the Milwaukee Brewers organization, before retiring.

Houston Astros

The Major League Baseball team that acquired Clarke from the Brewers in a trade last June.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Major League Baseball team that drafted Clarke in the 10th round of the 2021 draft and was his primary minor league organization.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Clarke's retirement at a relatively young age highlights the challenges and uncertainty that minor league players face in trying to break through to the majors, even with solid minor league production. His story serves as a reminder of the difficult path that many aspiring professional baseball players must navigate.