COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — Colorado Rapids have signed midfielder Wayne Frederick to a three-year contract with an option for 2027. The club has signed defender Nate Jones to a one-year contract with options for 2025, 2026 and 2027. Additionally, Generation adidas forward Kimani Stewart-Baynes was signed to a three-year contract with options for 2027 and 2028.
In the first round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Frederick was selected with the second overall pick, Stewart-Baynes with the fourth, and Jones with the fifth. Jones was initially drafted by Austin FC before the Rapids acquired his rights from Austin FC.
“We’re excited to welcome three young talented players in Wayne, Kimani and Nate to the Rapids,” said Colorado Rapids President Pádraig Smith. “We believe all three possess the type of high-end potential and character we look for in the draft. Their addition provides increased depth to our group and brings more pace, power and personality into our squad as we continue preparations for the upcoming season.”
Frederick, 19, a sophomore at Duke, made 17 appearances in his 2023 campaign, contributing three goals and three assists. The Cabin John, Maryland, native earned a spot in Top Drawer Soccer’s Postseason Freshman Top-100 in 2022. Before joining Duke, he competed for Bethesda SC in MLS NEXT, commencing his academy journey in 2014 and contributing to the U-17 squad's 2021 MLS NEXT Playoffs quarterfinal appearance. Frederick achieved a three-year letterwinner status at St. Albans High School, earning All-American honors in 2021 and helping secure a D.C. State Championship. Named the 2021 D.C. State Player of the Year, he garnered two-time All-Conference selections in 2019 and 2021, scoring 16 goals and providing eight assists. Additionally, he was nominated for the 2022 D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year Award.
“We are happy to add these three young, hungry players to complement our existing group,” said Rapids Head Coach Chris Armas. “We have confidence that these players can seamlessly integrate and execute our style of play.”
Stewart-Baynes, 18, a freshman at the University of Maryland scored three goals and delivered seven assists in his 14-game debut season. The Toronto, Ontario, native was dubbed Big Ten Freshman of the Year, a unanimous selection for the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and named to Top Drawer Soccer’s Freshman Best XI Second Team. Prior to his time with the Terrapins, Stewart-Baynes played for Vaughan Soccer Club, where he notched 17 goals in 14 matches for the U-19 team to win the League 1 U-19 championship. He also attended Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School, where he added nine goals and seven assists. Stewart-Baynes brings speed to the Rapids, recording an 11-second 100m dash as a junior in high school.
Jones, 22, a junior at the University of Washington, earned a spot on the First Team All-Pac-12 and was also named to the United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Far West Region, after recording a single-season collegiate career high three goals and two assists this year. In 2022, the Gig Harbor, Washington, native was named to the Pac-12 All-Conference Second Team after helping his teammates hold their opponents to just 144 shots on the season.
The club’s final three 2024 SuperDraft selections—forward Palmer Ault, defender Anderson Rosa, and forward Gunnar Studenhofft, will return to their respective colleges. The club will retain their MLS rights due to SuperDraft regulations.
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids has signed midfielder Wayne Frederick and forward Kimani Stewart-Baynes to three-year contracts with options for 2027. Additionally, the club has signed defender Nate Jones to a one-year contract with an option for 2025, 2026 and 2027, on Jan. 17, 2024.
Wayne Frederick
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-0
Weight: 145
Birthdate: June 13, 2004
Birthplace: Cabin John, MD
Nationality: United States
Designation: Domestic
Kimani Stewart-Baynes
Position: Forward
Height: 5-8
Weight: 160
Birthdate: Jan. 17, 2005
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario
Nationality: Canada, St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Designation: Domestic
Nate Jones
Position: Defender
Height: 6-3
Weight: 185
Birthdate: Aug, 23, 2001
Birthplace: Gig Harbor, WA
Nationality: United States
Designation: Domestic
