The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE newest group of Bahamian baseball prospects made their professional debuts in the Dominican Summer League (DSL) while others progressed to the Arizona (ACL) and Florida (FCL) Complex Leagues for their respective franchises.

Kashon Conliffe had a dynamic opening week for the DSL Padres with a multi home-run game and five RBI in a 10-1 win over the DSL Diamondbacks Red on June 8.

The 16-year-old centrefielder hit leadoff in the lineup and hit a two run shot in the third inning to score the first runs of the game. He returned in the sixth inning with a three run home run for the game’s final scores.

Conliffe is hitting .273 with six RBI, three stolen bases and four runs scored through three games.

He signed with the Padres out of the Maximum Development Academy in January.

Padres International Crosschecker, Bill McLaughlin, was optimistic on Conliffe’s dynamic athleticism.

“He’s a great athlete, we believe in athletes and we believe athletes make adjustments. We’re going to push him hard and I think he is going to do really well,” McLaughlin said.

“It is going to be a lot of hard work. We have a vision of great things for him and hopefully he has the same vision. Hopefully they can come true.”

Miami Marlins prospects Cherif Neymour and Toby Simmons each achieved milestones this week with the first hits of their pro career.

Both players got their hits in the DSL Marlins’ 5-4 win over the DSL Athletics on opening day, June 6.

Neymour, a 17-year-old shortstop, hit leadoff and also added a stolen base while Simmons, also 17, played right field and hit fourth. In yesterday’s 8-4 win over the DSL Mariners Neymour continued his streak of milestones with his first multi hit game. He went 3-4, drove in his first RBI and scored two runs with his second stolen base of the season.

Both players also signed in January out of the International Elite Sports Academy.

Adrian Puig, Miami Marlins international crosschecker, said his organisation will continue to explore The Bahamas for its rich talent pool.

“We’re excited to have these two athletic, dynamic players with the Marlins officially.

“It’s no secret, we’re going to continue to come back here and are going to try and be here every single year,” he said.

San Francisco Giants prospect Ryan Reckley scored his first run in the DSL Giants’ 15-10 win over the DSL Tigers 1.

A Maximum Development Academy prospect, the 17-year-old shortstop was the top signing of the Giants’ 2022 recruiting class.

Giants director of international scouting, Joe Salermo, said Reckley’s foundation in addition to his play on the field made him one of the Giant’s top targets for the last few years.

“It’s been a pleasure watching Reckley play the last two and-a-half years,” he said. “The one common theme from all of our scouts that came out of watching Reckley play was that he was a professional on and off the field and that is a tribute to his family.”

Texas Rangers prospect Zion Bannister got his Arizona Complex League season off to an impressive start in his season debut.

Bannister went 3-4 with a double in his ACL Rangers’ 4-2 win over the ACL Dodgers.

The highly touted outfield prospect was called up to the club’s main roster for Spring Training for Cactus League play in Surprise, Arizona.

Bannister was signed by the Rangers in July 2019 and was made his debut on the Dominican Summer League roster the following month.

As a member of the DSL Rangers 2 and he hit .273 with six hits, one RBI, and a .333 OPS.

He progressed to the AZL Rangers of the Arizona Rookie League on August 15 as a late season call up and appeared in 37 games where he hit .227 with six doubles, two home runs and 15 RBI.

Los Angeles Angels prospect Kristin Munroe is also assigned to the ACL.

Adari Grant (St Louis Cardinals) headlines the list of Bahamian players assigned to the Florida Complex League.

Grant spent his rookie season with the DSL Cardinals Blue.

He finished with a batting average of .220 with a .691 OPS on the season with 22 hits, one home run, six RBI, and seven stolen bases.

Dax Stubbs (Baltimore Orioles), Everette Cooper (Houston Astros) Andre Arthur (Miami Marlins) and Steven Adderley (Miami Marlins) will also participate in the FCL.