The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Kashon Conliffe became the fourth Bahamian baseball player to sign a professional contract in the current 2022 Major League Baseball International Signing Period.

Conliffe, a 16-year-old, Maximum Development Academy prospect, made it official yesterday when he signed with the San Diego Padres organisation at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

“I’m able to accept this opportunity to play pro baseball because of the hard work, dedication to my passion, and perseverance that has allowed me to overcome many obstacles. It was a rough journey that helped me to develop my leadership ability, integrity, and discipline, which are all vital skills which led me to this very moment,” he said.

“I’m really excited about the future and my baseball career. I’d like to encourage any aspiring players to always put God first and work hard toward achieving your goals which includes having good grades in school and never giving up on your dreams.

The Padres have signed 25 players thus far in the current signing period. Conliffe becomes the second Bahamian prospect signed to the organisation in as many years, following Evan Sweeting in 2021.

“Thank you to my grandparents for all of the love, support and guidance. It is because of their actions and belief in me that I am able to pursue my dreams and my path to greatness. Thank you to all of the Freedom Farm coaches for creating an environment for young people to come together and create healthy competition and develop us,” Conliffe said. “Thank the Padres for accepting me into their family, for seeing the potential in me and for helping me to cultivate it and for that I firmly commit to always giving my best to the team.”

Padres’ international crosschecker, Bill McLaughlin, was optimistic on Conliffe’s dynamic athleticism.

“I remember the first time I saw him. I put him in my book, but I didn’t want to talk about him too much because I didn’t want other teams to see in him what I had seen in him. Honestly we’re ecstatic to add him to our organisation,” McLaughlin said. “He’s a great athlete, we believe in athletes and we believe athletes make adjustments. We’re going to push him hard and I think he is going to do really well.

“It is going to be a lot of hard work. We have a vision of great things for him and hopefully, he has the same vision. Hopefully, they can come true.”

MaxD Academy is led by Greg Burrows Jr and Clarence McKenzie.

Burrows credited the volunteer coaches at Freedom Farm Baseball League for their contribution to the many players that have signed professional contracts in recent years.

“These kids would not be able to get here without the coaches at Freedom Farm. You guys are a big part of what we are doing and without you guys it wouldn’t be possible. Kashon is a product of the village that Freedom Farm has created,” Burrows said. “He’s one of the best athletes I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach, that says a lot when you look at the guys that have come before him. “His talent is right there, I can’t wait to see him blossom into professional baseball. I think he is going to be the Padres’ best kept secret.

“I am confident this guy is going to make it to the Major Leagues and he is going to represent The Bahamas very well.

“He carries himself very well, well-groomed, well-dressed and he gets that from his grandparents Joyce and Peter [Conliffe].”.