The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

PARIS Johnson became the latest Bahamian prospect to enter the minor league ranks when he officially signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers organisation.

Johnson signed before a close knit group of friends and family at the Bahamas Harvest Church on John F Kennedy Drive on July 1.

“Dreams do come true. This dream took hard work, dedication as well as the support of others. I have to thank God for giving me the skill and talent to play the game that I love,” said Johnson. “At the age of 5 I told my mother I wanted to be a professional baseball player, when I told her that she said ‘ok’ but she later told me that in her mind she was thinking, ‘this boy can’t be serious.’

“My parents have always been supportive of me. It is because of their actions and belief in my heart that I am able to pursue my dreams on the path to greatness. Mom and dad, thank you for your sacrifices, your prayers and your continued encouragement, I appreciate every sacrifice you made to help me pursue my dreams.”

The 17-year-old prospect spent months on the recruiting and showcase circuit for FTB Baseball and training out of the Cressy Sports Performance and Fortuna Training Facility in Florida.

Johnson’s baseball journey began in the Freedom Farm Baseball League, but that journey took a drastic detour when he underwent UCL reconstruction (Tommy John) surgery. The 6’2”, 200-pound prospect rebuilt both his physical and mental strength to continue the pursuit of his baseball dream.

“Freedom Farm baseball is where it all started for me from T-Ball up to 15 and older. Max D academy is where I was given the opportunity to develop the fundamentals that I learned from all my coaches at Freedom Farm. Both of these organisations played a vital role in my development and I would like to take this time to thank them for all they did to help me prepare for this day,” he said.

“Special thanks to Cressy Sports Performance in West Palm Beach, Florida where I did not just get the opportunity to workout and train, but also it was there that many of my mentors helped me to build my confidence in my talent and in myself. My mentors helped me to build my skills and my belief in me and my dreams. As a I result I am now able to elevate to another level, not just physically prepared but mentally prepared to continue my pursuit and my dreams, which is to one day play in the Major Leagues. Special thanks for Fortuna Training Facility and all the trainers who worked with me preparing me for my showcases.”

At Freedom Farm, Johnson played under coach Lionel Ferguson Jr from ages 13-15.

“When I think of Paris I think of a story of patience, hard work, consistency and resilience, he said.

“Someone who, despite the detours, the stop signs, and the closed doors, he along with his support system refused to accept no for an answer.”

At age 14 he said he witnessed transformation following his early struggles.

“Within a few months he went from being ready to quit the game for good to becoming one of, if not the most feared hitters, in our age division and eventually helping lead us to a championship,” Johnson said.

“Despite becoming this Freedom Farm ‘superstar,’ he maintained his demeanour, always quiet, humble, willing to listen and learn, willing to put the team before himself, but those are the special ones.”

Johnson became the fifth Bahamian to sign in the current International Signing Period following Ryan Reckley (San Francisco Giants), Cherif Neymour (Miami Marlins), Kashon Conliffe (San Diego Padres), and Toby Simmons (Miami Marlins).

“To the Dodgers organisation, thank you for accepting me into your family, for seeing the potential in me and for helping me to grow into it,” Johnson said. “I commit to always perform at my best on and off the field to represent this organisation well.”

Javier Camps, manager of international scouting for the Dodgers, said Johnson’s strong support system will be vital to his maturation process as he progresses through the minor leagues.

“I think the first word that comes to mind since I have been here is community. I always think of progress as not linear, but linear wavy. Hearing about his struggles and him developing throughout his career is something to keep in mind as you go throughout our system,” Camps said.

“Your’e going to have some struggles, but you have a community that supports you and knows who you are. That will be the most important thing, even bigger than baseball, but your baseball talent is what got you here so continuing to keep focusing on that.”

The Johnson family will have even more reason to celebrate in the not too distant future as Ayden Johnson, the younger of the two brothers, has already been linked to the Oakland Athletics organisation.