The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE most highly touted Bahamian prospect of the 2022 International Signing Class, Ryan Reckley made it official with the San Francisco Giants.

Reckley signed his first professional contract before friends, family supporters and baseball enthusiasts at the Baha Mar Convention Center on Saturday afternoon.

The Maximum Development Academy infielder credited a strong support system which he called his “village” - highlighted by his father Raymond Reckley and his mother, the late Patricia Reckley, who passed away in late November at age 51.

“My journey was filled with highs and lows, there were many wins and losses, but through God’s grace and the support of my amazing family members, coaches, teammates, and the many people who have played a part - I stand here as a product of your commitment,” he said.

“To my father, to my biggest supporter, my mother, who has transitioned from life to eternity, but is watching me proudly today. I thank you.”

Reckley is listed as the No.9 international prospect by both MLB.com and Baseball America. He was the top signing of a Giants recruiting class that also included No.30 prospect Juan Perez of Venezuela. The Giants signed 11 prospects on the first day of the international signing period.

“I am extremely excited and motivated to help this team win in any which way I can. You are appreciated from the bottom of my heart and I just want to say thank you,” Reckley said to Giants executives. “I am humbled by these events and pray that they are only a catalyst for the goal that I have set of making myself and my parents proud of my accomplishments. I see this as the beginning with the end in mind. A step toward my dreams and my future.”

With his fellow MaxD prospects in attendance, Reckley offered words of wisdom to thse looking to follow in his path. “Listen to your parents, hear the words from your aunt or uncle that are filled with wisdom. Study hard, train hard, practice as often as you can, don’t allow your weakness to be a downfall but allow it to be a point where you gain your strength,” he said. “If more families get involved in the field, and in the lives of their children in the sport of their choice, we will see a positive change in the world. It does a young child wonders to know that they are valued. I encourage parents and family members to support their young ones on and off the field as I am a true testament of this.”

The Giants organisation has had Bahamian talent in its pipeline dating back to Andre Rodgers in the late 1950s, drafted Byron Murray in 2014, signed Lucius Fox in 2015 and Antoan Richardson currently serves as a first base coach at the major league level.

Giants director of international scouting, Joe Salermo, said Reckley’s foundation in addition to his play on the field made him one of the Giants’ top targets for the last few years. “It’s been a pleasure watching Reckley play the last two and-a-half years. It’s also been a pleasure watching some of the Bahamian players. The young generation that’s coming up. The Bahamas is a hotbed for baseball. From Antoan Richardson, to Jazz Chisholm, to Reckley and to all of these young players coming up,” he said. “This is our second player from The Bahamas we are going to sign and I do want to thank the Reckley family because the foundation they set for Ryan to be successful is so strong. The one common theme from all of our scouts that came out of watching Reckley play was that he was a professional on and off the field and that is a tribute to his family.”

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 according to MLP Pipeline.

“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,” his MLB analysis said. “On defence, he shows good footwork, quick hands, and enough arm strength to stay at shortstop.”

MaxD was established in 2013 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.

Burrows said Reckley’s foundation was a credit to his family and executing the plan.

“We [Burrows and the Reckley family] spent hours on the phone talking about this moment, how we would get there and what we needed to do to get there. I appreciate that you guys listened. This is a complicated process, there’s not one way to do it, but I believe that we came up with a great plan and executed. I want to say to the parents out there that you’re not going to be able to do it wishy washy or on your own or via a roundabout way. You have to be able to communicate, you have to be able to have integrity in this whole process. That’s the only way these kids can make it all the way. The support system has to stay consistent from training, from 12 years old, to signing day to the Major Leagues, and the player has to know that that support system has his back. I appreciate Mr and Mrs Reckley and I know Ryan is going to have a great future,” he said.

“Ryan, I think you have been an example to the players coming behind you and even some of the guys that have signed in the past - I believe we need to represent ourselves better.

“I believe we need to carry ourselves like professionals everywhere we go to be able to represent the Bahamas, your family and yourself at a higher level and I believe that is something Ryan has been an example of.”