2023 International Signing Bahamas

2023 International Signing Bahamas. Once again, the Bahamian Baseball Players were among the MLB’s Intl Players signings. Sebastian Walcott, Janero Miller, Chad Delancy, Breyias Dean, Andrew Arthur, & Daniel Gaitor.  

A Hot Bed for International Baseball Players:  

Between 1984 & 2015, there were ten players from the Islands of the Bahamas signed as international baseball players. However, fifteen were a part of the MLB domestic draft from the US, high schools & colleges. 

The Bahamas has emerged as a hotbed for international talent recently. Walcott is carrying on the tradition in 2023. Sebastian Walcott SS, the MLB #8 2022 Top Intl Prospect, emerged as the Ranger’s top pick. At the same time, the Marlins signed Janero Miller, the MLB #16 2022 Top Intl Prospect. 

International Elite Academy’s Walcott, Rangers & Miller, Marlins.

A Vision out of the 2003 Baseball AGM: 

As a matter of fact, at an AGM that saw the formation of the Bahamas Baseball Federation, Elected President Greg Burrows Sr. Said that he had a vision & a goal of producing a Major League player from the Bahamas. 

Hence, the goal was to get more kids to play the game of Baseball and start the baseball national tournament for the best players to showcase their talent. This idea saw the formation of the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Championships, in which 100% of the players that played pro Baseball in 2015 – 2022 played. 

Finally, in that AGM, President Burrows said we must try to flood the Minor Leagues with players and hope that one will get in by 2013. So today, MAXD & International I-Elite has taken up the mantle to produce the players out of the local leagues. 

Some Big Shoes to fill:

Our Top Intl Player, Sebastian Walcott. Photo by Travere Saunders

2023 International Signing Bahamas. 

Even though I hadn’t seen this kid in years, when he walked past me, I asked him, how tall are you? 6’4,” he replied; I said wow, as I tilted my head up to look at him; how time flies. Sebastian Walcott is a big kid & a Short Stop. 

Walcott signs with the Rangers. Photo by Travere Saunders. Click on the image for the video.

However, it is reported that some believe the long and lean shortstop could eventually rival Miami’s Jazz Chisholm as the best international prospect to come from the Bahamas because of his elite athleticism, physical projection, and baseball IQ. 

Andrew & Andre Arthur:

Andrew & Andre Arthur: Photo by Travere Saunders

In the meantime, Andrew will now join bigger brother Andre at the minor league level; oh happy day for the Arthur family. 

For the most part, as kids, they were known for their size, and they hit the Baseball with power. Moreover, the kids that came up playing with them can tell you the stories of playing against them at the Nationals, where they both won their divisional championship MVP.

The Marlins came calling again, and a RedSox signing:

The Marlins: Miller, Dean & Gaitor. The Red Sox Delancy. Photo by Travere Saunders.

A Tribute to Coach Franklyn Simmons. (Mr. Yankees):

Right at Home among the Kids he Coached for Years. Photo by Travere Saunders.

Coach Frankie Simmons Loved the game of Baseball; and will be missed at Freedom Farm Baseball League and the Old Timers Softball League. He was one of the biggest New York Yankees fans in the Bahamas and wasn’t shy to let you know that. Frankie’s personality led to the discovery of Jasrado Jazz Chisholm Jr.  

Moreover, because of Jazz’s Grand Mother Pat Coakley’s genuine love for kids in her community, and because of Frankie’s genuine love for coaching kids in baseball, led to her allowing you to take an eight-year-old Jazz to play baseball at Freedom Farm. And the rest is history. 

Two Peas in Pod, Coached Jeff Francis & Coach Franklyn Simmons. Photo By Sharon Simmons.

I shared so many tears for my Friend last weekend. I will miss those annoying Yankees posts and your coaching at Old Timers Softball. R.I.P. Franklyn Simmons. God knows Best! 

Two Peas in Pod, Coached Jeff Francis & Coach Franklyn Simmons. By Dion Forsyth

Jeff Francis

Jeffrey was born on April 29th, 1961, in Nassau, Bahamas to Rejoiner Ann Rolle and Jerome James Francis Etienne. Married to Andrea G. Rolle-Francis, they have two daughters; Janae Latoya Francis, a graduate of Allegany College of Maryland, and Jessica Lee Francis a graduate Potomac State College West Virginia University in Kyser West Virginia. Jeffrey was coaching the sport of baseball from 1980 at the age of 18 years old because he loved the sport as a kid. He started listening to the game over the radio out of Miami Florida in the late 60s and in the early 70s started playing the game locally in various local leagues right up to the premier senior league; a league where all of the current Bahamian minor leaguers played. In 1982, Jeffrey had an invite to a three day tryout with the New York Yankees in Hollywood Florida, which was an awesome experience that is lasting a life time memory for him. Jeffrey has been following the Bahamian baseball players in the minor leagues since 1999 with Angelo Burrows, but found greater interest with the signing of Antoan Richardson in 2005. He also writes a year end review on their play on his Facebook page, Baseball Bahamas, and he has a website with the same name. He has a great following and would love to expose the baseball players to a bigger worldwide audience. He has a good relationship with all the players because he personally coached most of them. His favorite MLB Team is the Detroit Tigers from 1969.