By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Evan Sweeting’s baseball journey will continue at the professional ranks with the San Diego Padres organisation.

Sweeting officially signed on to join the franchise before a group of friends, family, and baseball enthusiasts last night at the Bahamas National Trust’s Retreat.

The 6’1”, 185-pound right hand pitcher out of the International Elite Sports Academy credited his success to his foundation of a strong support system led by his family.

“I have to thank my mom, dad, and brother for the sacrifices they’ve made over the past 19 years and for supporting everything I’ve done. Thank you for helping to make dreams come true, I’m forever grateful and thankful for everything you’ve done for me - from taking me to practices early in the morning, picking me up late at night, flights hotels, and everything in between,” Sweeting said.

“To my coaches, thank you for believing in me, Thank you for pushing me to be the person and player I am today. Thank you for going beyond your means to make this possible. Lastly, I’d like to thank the San Diego Padres organisation for seeing something in me and believing in a kid like me from The Bahamas. Thank you for allowing me to pursue my dreams. I’m excited and ready to get to work.”

Bill McLaughlin, Padres’ international crosschecker and scout, said his organisation is constantly looking to retool with a new wave of talent. The Padres’ list of signees this year included three of Baseball America’s top-50 prospects. He considers Evan, the organisation’s first Bahamian signee, as a part of that new wave.

“We are thrilled to be here and this is a big step up for us. We have been looking forward to signing someone from The Bahamas for a long time. I’ve been coming here for 5-6 years, we have had an interest in players, things just didn’t match up but we are thrilled to be here and we are very happy for Evan,” he said.

“We saw him pitch at the New Balance tournament this fall and he’s a strike thrower, strong body, durable, smart kid and we’re looking forward to having him in the system. Evan is going to be a part of that next wave of talent, we look forward to seeing him on the mound and he looks good in that brown and gold.”

In September, Sweeting participated at the aforementioned New Balance Baseball Program 15 Future Star Series Showcase at Fenway, Park in Boston, Massachusetts, featuring elite international and American recruits.

He was highlighted by Program 15 for his command on the mound in a relief appearance for Team World when he struck out five of the seven batters he faced.

“Sweeting looks sharp on the mound ranging 88-91 mph while locating his effective 78-80 change and 75-78 curve during,” Program 15 tweeted.

“Most impressive and quickest inning so far for a pitcher in the bottom of the fourth. His velocity jump this summer is real, and looks like he’s got more to come.”

I-Elite was founded by directors Geron Sands and Albert Cartwright. It provides an avenue for players between the ages of 11 and 17 years an opportunity to hone their skills with the view of playing at the professional level.

“I-Elite is one of the first academies of its kind in The Bahamas. We use customised and professional training to develop and assist aspiring professional and collegiate athletes to reach their goals,” Sands said. “Over the past six years, we have been a part of helping over 20 young men fulfil their goals of making it to professional baseball with eight different organisations. While doing that we were able to secure college or high school scholarships for another 15 young men. We believe that kids are the future of The Bahamas and investing in them is the only way to make our country a better place.”

Sands said Evan’s potential was evident almost immediately, but became the embodiment of the organisation’s motto displayed on its banners - “Trust The Process.”

“When I first met Evan he was about 13-years-old. What attracted me to him was his size and the ability to throw. The ease with which he threw the baseball was a no brainer for me, but the question was how to get him the work he needs to become a pro baseball player.

“I introduced myself to his mom, Kim, and I gave her this crazy idea that her son would become a pro baseball player. She listened, but I had to find a way to show her.

“Evan played in tourneys all throughout the US. Whatever had to be done he was doing it. The sacrifices his parents made were not the norm. Their son had a dream and they allowed him to follow it,” Sands said.

“Evan is a big leaguer. With his work ethic, support system, the drive that he has, the nonstop work he is accustomed to is going to take him to the next level. The Padres organisation is one of the best in the world, one of the tops in the minor leagues, he’s in good hands when it comes to development and when it comes to getting a chance to show what you can do. Now it’s all up to Evan to show what he can do. Evan was the person who trusted the process the most because of the grind, the travel, the sore arms, being in uncomfortable situations and fighting through to get to this point.”

Evan’s mother, Kim Sweeting, spoke favourably of her personal experience with I-Elite and Evan’s progression within the organisation.

“I was very drawn to Geron and Albert at how they took these kids and it was the passion of the game that fed them. I was very proud when we moved Evan over to I-Elite and to see how they nurtured them and encouraged them. There’s no truer statement for this organisation than trust the process. Evan had to learn. He had talent but they had to teach him the proper way to pitch and to be a part of these tournaments. It was their drive that allowed our family to pursue this. If you’re a parent and you feel very strongly about your kid’s future in this sport, then I would strongly recommend I-Elite,” she said, “You can see their track record. It is shown every day, every year they have annual signings. It has been a process, it has been strenuous and emotional but I’m so proud to be a part of iElite and so proud that Evan has been apart of this journey with them”