MLB International Signing Day

MLB International Signing Day, January 15th, 2024. Every year, the local baseball fraternity looks forward to which of our players will get signed by an MLB Team. Hence, 2024 MLB International Signing Day 2024 was no different for our kids. 

Hundreds of young baseball players look forward to this day to pursue their dreams of becoming a Major League Baseball player. I think MLB also looks forward to this day, adding to the new crop of players to their Farm System and seeing the smiles on the faces of the players hoping to play at the next level. 

2024 MBL International Signing Day:

Seven Known local baseball players were signed on January 15, 16, and 20th by MLB Teams. Even though we had no players in the top 50 ranking, seven players signing is good for our population.

Now, the work has just begun for our players. Here are the classes of 2024 as we keep track of their progress to the top.

Bohan Adderley

Bohan Adderley: Photo by 10th Year Senior

Adderley is the Top Prospect out of the Bahamas this year, signing with the Mets. This kid has put on some size since the last time I saw him; well, I guess he is trying to keep up with big brother Bakari Adderley, a US Marine.

I am looking for some good baseball from Bohan.

J.T. Bain: (Blue Jays)

J. T. Bain

The Blue Jays signed Bain, a 6’2″ Short Stop. J.T. Bain is the Grandson of my long-time friend and now Old Timers Softball teammate Warfield Booger Bain. He told me that he was ready to play at the next level.

2024 MBL International Signing Day: The Red Sox Came Calling:

The Red Sox signed the following three players.

Tavano Baker: (Red Sox)

Baker is an outfielder with plus speed and the ability to run down the baseball in the outfield. He also processes a big arm to throw the baseball from deep in the outfield. Baker is also an exciting baseball player in the outfield with the ease of getting to the ball.

Hence being around his grandfather, Rubun Armbrister, who I am sure pushed him to the game of baseball; after all, he also played a lot of baseball in his days.

Tejahari Wilson: (Red Sox)

Wilson is a right-hand pitcher who has command of his pitches. My team had some epic battles against Wilson and the Arawaks that feathered Wilson, Baker, and Darville. My Tainos had mostly players who have taken the college route: Andre Arthur (Southern New Hampshire University), Roberto Lemour (Florida Memorial University), Sanchez Sands (Prince George Community College), Zachary Gibson (Bay College), and Gerromme Hanna (Union College). 

So, with his ability to throw the baseball, I am looking forward to him making some inroads early in his career. Right now, he is throwing the baseball between 84-86MPH consistently. 

Edwin “EJ” Darville: (Red Sox)

Also known as Lil Jazz. EJ reminded most of his coaches of a young Jazz Chisholm Jr. As he mimicked Jazz, He was immediately a coach’s favorite, not only because of his looks but also his approach to the game of baseball. (Even Though he was not as Strong as a young Jazz Chisholm). 

We will wait to see how he does at the next level as he pursues his dream of becoming the next Jazz Chisholm Jr. Stay Focus Kid. 

2024 MBL International Signing Day: Two players were signed out of Florida.

Phillando Williams: (Pirates)

Phillando Williams

I had the pleasure of coaching against Williams for about two years before he went to Florida to train. In one of his last games at Freedom Farm, I saw him hit two impressive home runs, making it look so easy. He also has the speed to cover the grounds in the outfield. He is the Grandson of my childhood friend Phillip. 

Bahamian Baseball Players have a lot of history in the Pirates organization, and Phillando is the latest addition from the Bahamas. 

Rohan Culmer: (Nationals)

MLB International Signing Day.

My former Short Stop man, Rohan Culmer, is pursuing his baseball dreams. Along with Phillanndo, Rohan was determined to pursue his dream of playing minor-league baseball. They both trained outside of the Bahamas, in Florida,   

Good Luck to all of our Class of the 2024 International Signees.

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.