The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE teams for the Don’t Blink Home Run Derby in Paradise have been set for Team Fox and Team Isaacs as they prepare to decide the 2021 title.

Event organisers Todd Isaacs Jr and Lucius Fox Jr made their selections at the annual Don’t Blink Draft show with 42 hitters expected to compete at the fourth edition of the event, to be hosted on December 18 at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.

Each team will include 10 local prospects and 10 visiting players from various levels of baseball, including independent leagues, the minor leagues and the MLB.

The local prospects for Team Fox will be headlined by Miami Marlins infielder Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr, the first overall pick in the draft.

Other local Team Fox prospects include Warren Saunders (New York Mets), Ian Lewis (Miami Marlins), D’Shawn Knowles (Los Angeles Angels), Keithron Moss (Texas Rangers), DJ Collie (Webber University), Ellison Hanna (Hood College - Assistant Coach), D’Vaughn Knowles (New York Yankees), James Rolle (Baltimore Orioles) and Dax Stubbs (Baltimore Orioles).

The international players will be headlined by Rookie of the Year prospect, Wander Franco Tampa Bay Rays. He will be joined by Triston Casas (Boston Red Sox), MJ Melendez (Kansas City Royals), Akil Baddoo (Detroit TIgers), Dylan Carson (St. Louis Cardinals), Jeremiah Jackson (Los Angeles Angels), Marcus Wilson (Seattle Mariners), Justin Wylie (New Jersey Jackals), Zack Veen (Colorado Rockies) and Dalton Combs (San Francisco Giants). Team Isaacs will include several first time local participants including the most recent members of the last international signing and MLB draft class.

BJ Murray (Chicago Cubs), Kristin Munroe (Los Angeles Angels), Andre Arthur (Miami Marlins), Adari Grant (St. Louis Cardinals) and Stephen Adderley (Miami Marlins) will all make their derby debut.

The group also includes veteran Anfernee Seymour (Kane County Cougars) and minor leaguers Chavez Young (Toronto Blue Jays), Everette Cooper (Houston Cougars), Trent Deveaux (Los Angeles Angels), and Davonn Mackey (Oakland Athletics).

Former Don’t Blink champion Lewis Brinson of the Miami Marlins will highlight the international group for Team Isaacs.

The group also includes Miguel Rojas (Miami Marlins), Will Benson (Cleveland Guardians), Dominic Smith (New York Mets), Khalil Lee (New York Mets), Richie Palacios (Cleveland Guardians), Josh Palacios (Toronto Blue Jays), Christian Koss (Colorado Rockies), Nick Gordon, and Mason Wynn (St. Louis Cardinals).

After several years of involvement, the Atlantis resort came on board as the title sponsor for this year’s event. Stakeholders also include REV, International Elite Baseball Academy and California based nonprofit - Magical Builders.

Magical Builders is a non-profit corporation that has managed the construction and renovation of dozens of charitable facilities.

Isaacs said the unique concept showcases the natural aesthetic of the Bahamas and the country’s young baseball talent.

“Our goal of the event is to always use this as a platform to highlight our Bahamian baseball players, our Bahamian athletes, and just show what the Bahamas consists of - our natural beauty and these beaches. We have the best beaches in the world,” Isaacs said. “Being a baseball player, you wanted to really bring the beaches.

“So we decided to do something extremely crazy. Set up a stage and hit balls into the water.”

Traditionally hosted in early January, the derby has grown in stature to be showcased prominently by several international media outlets, including the MLB Network, and features both minor and major league prospects from around the league.

Bo Bichette, of the Toronto Blue Jays, won the inaugural event in 2018 and repeated as champion in 2019. Brinson captured the title in 2020.

On Friday December 17, the participating players will host the annual kids’ clinic at the Atlantis resort in Paradise Harbour for aspiring student-athletes.

In 2020, the partnership with the Charles Johnson Foundation brought with it Major League Baseball’s Play Ball Initiative, the branch of the organisation which hosts kids’ camps around the world.

The day will also feature another first on the Don’t Blink calendar, a celebrity softball game featuring derby participants and local influencers.

Saturday, December 18 will be the main event at the Atlantis resort.

For more information and VIP tickets to The Don’t Blink Home Run Derby in Paradise, please visit: www.atlantishomerunderby.com.

“Atlantis Paradise Island is committed to growing and promoting sports tourism in The Bahamas.

“Global events like the Don’t Blink Home Run Derby in Paradise generates exposure, buzz, and most importantly opportunities for young athletes to experience professional events – right here at home,” said Audrey Oswell, president and managing director of Atlantis, Paradise Island.