The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Major League Baseball 2022 International Signing Period is expected to be an active one for The Bahamas and one of the country’s prospects remains listed among the top 10 signees by MLB Pipeline.

Ryan Reckley is listed at No.9 by MLB.com as the signing period opens on January 15 and continues through December 15.

The first day of the signing period traditionally features the best teenage international prospects throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Among the top 50 prospects, 25 are from The Dominican Republic, 15 from Venezuela, four from Cuba, two from Colombia, two from Panama, one from Mexico, and Reckley from The Bahamas.

The 17-year old Maximum Development Academy shortstop is among 26 infielders, 16 outfielders, two pictures and six catchers listed.

An international player must turn 16 before he signs and be 17 before September 1 the following year. Players born between September 1, 2004, and August 31, 2005, will be eligible to sign in the upcoming signing period.

Despite not being listed among the top 50, several Bahamian prospects are expecting to sign on the first weekend of the period and throughout the calendar year.

“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.”

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.”

In 2019 Reckley received the opportunity to showcase his skills against the top players in his class across the United States 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.

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.