The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

ANOTHER major publication has projected Ryan Reckley as one of the elite sought after targets for Major League Baseball franchises for the upcoming international signing period.

MLB.com ranked Reckley at No.9 on their list of international prospects for the upcoming class.

“The Bahamas has emerged as a hotbed for prospects in recent years and might be the next frontier for international scouting,” his MLB prospect analysis said.

“If all goes according to plan, Reckley will join the prestigious list in a few years. Reckley is a plus athlete that has an excellent feel for hitting and an understanding of the strike zone.

“He’s a disciplined hitter and will continue to improve in that area as he develops. Specifically, he uses a short and compact swing with above- average bat speed to make hard contact.”

Reckley, 16, is a product of the Maximum Development Academy (MaxD).

Listed as a 5’10” 165 pound shortstop, Reckley’s scouting grades include Hit: 55, Power: 45, Run: 60, Arm: 50, Field: 55 and Overall: 55.

“Overall, he might be a better hitter from the left side than the right side of the plate, but for now, he shows more power as a right-handed hitter.

“What’s more, he has the speed to steal bases,” the analysis continued. “On defence, he shows good footwork, quick hands, and enough arm strength to stay at shortstop.”

Reckley was perfect at the plate and homered in both games when Freedom Farm Baseball League returned to the diamond last February with its All-Star Showcase.

International scouts, representing several Major League Baseball franchises, were in attendance.

Under the Perfect Game organisation Reckley was named to the All-Tournament Team for the 2020 WWBA Sophomore World Championships.

He averaged .333 with a double, two RBI, four stolen bases and scored three runs with an .833 OPS. He has also made All-Tournament Teams at the 2019 WWBA Freshman Championships, 2019 U14 PG Series Classic, U14 BCS National Championship, WWBA U14 East Memorial Day Classic and 2018 PGBA U14 Florida Fall Nationals.

In 2019 Reckley received the opportunity to showcase his skills against the top players in his class across the US when was named to the roster of the Perfect Game 14u Select Baseball Festival.

The fourth edition of the event featured the top 44 prospects from the national prep classes of 2022 and 2023.

Reckley was also previously listed by Baseball America as one of the top international prospects last March. In the first edition of its “International Big Board” for the 2021-22 International Signing Period, Reckley was listed as the No.8 prospect overall.

According to BA, the San Francisco Giants are reportedly the leading candidate to sign the switch hitting shortstop to a deal worth more than $2 million.

“If everything clicks, he could be a switch-hitting shortstop who hits at the top of a lineup, with a quick stroke that’s more efficient from the right side and geared for line drives with gap power,” BA’s Ben Adler said.

MaxD was established in 2014 and with Greg Burrows Jr as its director, has continued to provide an avenue for players between the ages of 11 to 17 to hone their skills with the view to achieving scholarships or pursuing professional baseball.