Who Will Be the Next Bahamian MLB Player?

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Bahamian baseball players Kristian Robinson of the Arizona Diamondbacks Organization and B.J. Murray of the Chicago Cubs Organization seem to be headed toward Major League Stardom. With the 2024 MLB season fast approaching, both players have been named top 20 players within their respective organizations at one point or another. 

The 6’3” right-handed outfielder’s route just to get here was a circuitous one. Originally signed in 2018 at age 17, he was one of the hottest prospects in the organization, being listed as its top prospect coming into 2020 until mental health and legal issues created visa problems for him, forcing him to miss the 2020-2022 seasons. 

Robinson returned to the field last season with his mind right and with his legal situation sorted out and he balled out, hitting .283 with a .915 OPS with 14 home runs, and 42 RBI in only 65 games, starting in Rookie league but finishing with a productive stint for AA Amarillo Sod Poodles. 

He’s shown the power at the plate and the speed that made him the top prospect in the organization four years ago. He may have struck out a tad too much for the organization’s liking, but if he can get that under control, his path to the majors may continue. 

B.J. Murray seems to be the polar opposite of Kristian Robinson. The cool, calm collected 5’10” infielder from New Providence has the ability to play first, 2nd, and third base and hit for power was drafted out of Florida Atlantic University in the 15th round in 2021.

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He drastically outproduced his draft status during his time in the minors, culminating in a revelation of a 2023 season where he hit .263 with a .844 OPS and 16 home runs in AA, helping his team win a Southern League Championship, and being named to the MLB Futures game, where teams send their best prospects.

Despite his amazing season, he has not been invited to MLB spring training, unlike his Tennesee teammate Owen Caissie. But the fact that he was named to the futures game means the team thinks that he will be in the Majors sooner rather than later. If he can continue producing in the minors like he did last year, he won’t leave the Cubs with much of a choice.