The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

WHEN the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft commences in a few weeks, one Bahamian baseball prospect has indicated he is ready to make the leap to the Major Leagues when his name is called for the second time around.

Todd Isaacs Jr recently told 10thYearSeniors.com that he will forego the remainder of his collegiate career following the completion of his freshman season at Palm Beach State.

“I’m definitely taking the chance this year. It doesn’t matter which round I go in, as long as someone wants to present me with an opportunity I’m going to take it this year,” he said. “So far I have had a few workouts and I have a few more left before the draft so I hope they continue to go well. I think I’ll go much higher than I did last year.”

Isaacs was drafted by the Toronto Bluejays in round 22 at No.654 in the 2014 MLB draft, but opted to attend Palm Beach State rather than pursue the club’s farm system directly out of high school.

His draft stock is expected to be considerably higher for the 2015 edition of the draft, scheduled for June 8-10 in Secaucus, New Jersey.

“Last year I think I was ready somewhat but I wasn’t completely ready. Last year it was about the hype, but this year I think I’m ready mentally, physically and emotionally,” he said. “JuCo baseball was a humbling experience. I was in positions where I had to help the team win and it really showed me how far I could get. Some games if I didn’t get on base we lost, but I learned to concentrate on the offensive side of the game. I learned as a speed guy, once we got on base, the pitcher worries more about us than the hitter. And it helps the hitters so the entire offence benefits.”

The 2014 Draft was another historic selection process for the Bahamas, as graduating high school roommates Isaacs and Anfernee Seymour were joined by Byron Murray as selections.

While Seymour was the leader of the pack, getting selected with the 197th pick in round seven by the Miami Marlins, Murray was taken in round No.25 with the 748th pick by the San Francisco Giants.

Both Seymour and Murray chose to make the jump to the farm system of their respective franchises.

“They talked to me about their experiences a lot. It’s different from high school. You’re not playing for a state title and everyone is your friend. At the college and pro level it’s a dog eat dog world because you’re competing against your teammates for a job so you don’t really get to take a day off,” Isaacs said. “For some people JuCo isn’t the route to go but it was for me. I knew I could go there and get my work in everyday and I knew I had a place to play whereas at a DI school a coach would just want to win, but at JuCo they were more concerned about player development.”

His 60-yard dash has been timed in 6.1 seconds, ranking him among the fastest runners on any level of collegiate baseball.

“There were a few plays that made me realise I’m ready. On the defensive side there were a few plays where I ran down balls in the left and right field gaps and when I caught them I looked back and realised how much ground I covered.

“On offence it was executing my plays in the clutch. One time in particular there was a 16-inning game. We had a runner on second, I hit the ball to left field and by the time the throw got in I was standing on third. That’s when it clicked to me that it was time to go,” Isaacs said.

“Compared to high school, this last year was a notch higher. JuCo talent can be hit or miss but it was a tough schedule. It definitely helped me mature and made me realise it wasn’t a walk in the park and I have to really compete now.”

As for the country’s legacy of developing baseball talent, Isaacs said he considers it an honour to be one of the next players to continue the legacy.

“We have to keep opening doors and keeping the legacy going for everyone behind us because at the end of the day it’s not just for us,” he said. “We have to keep working hard, have a good attitude and be an ambassador of the sport and the country.”