Three more Bahamian players were afforded the opportunity to play professionally on Wednesday night.
Ian Lewis, Everette Cooper and Dax Stubbs signed with the Miami Marlins, Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles respectively. All three young athletes are products of the International Elite Sports Academy, joining the likes of Keithron Moss and D’Vaughn Knowles, who signed back in 2017.
Ian Lewis, 16, had the most lucrative contact out of the group, inking a deal of $950,000 with the Marlins. The 5’10, 155-pound switch hitting shortstop said he owes his success all to his family.
“With the support of my loving family I’m Living my greatest testimony,” he said. “We made it through the tough times, and I have a smile on my face knowing I made you proud”
Marlins special assistant Adrian Lorenzo expressed his excitement about the addition of Lewis to their roster.
“I think we are acquiring a franchise player. A player the city of Miami and the entire Bahamas can be proud of.”
Everette Cooper, who is the first Bahamian drafted to the Astros, said that his dream of being a pro is finally a reality.
“This moment has been a dream of mine, now it is a reality,” Cooper said.
“This wasn’t an easy road. There were many hardships and challenges, but I’m glad I can share this moment with Ian and Dax.”
Stubbs, who was one of 27 Orioles signing Wednesday, thanked his family and trainers at I-Elite.
“My fellow I-Elite brothers pushed me hard these last few years and I owe a lot to them.”
On Tuesday, Zion Bannister inked a deal with the Texas Rangers. He received a signing bonus of $836,000.
Despite the fact that Bannister currently is a pitcher, the Rangers intend to use him at center-field.
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By Chaz Mackey- Eyewitness Sports Intern
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