Earlier today the Oakland Athletics signed 16-year-old Michael Inoa to a minor league contract with a $4.25 million signing bonus. The 6'7", 205 lbs. right-hander is considered to be the top prospect in his country, if not all of Latin America. Inoa will play in the Dominican Summer League.
“I feel very, very happy because my dream to turn into a professional player has become reality,” Inoa said.
Really Inoa, I would agree that living in poverty and making $4.25 million before you turn 17 is pretty good. Even when you are dealing on the bump in Fremont in 2012, ESPN News will come out and say you are five years older then you really are.
He has been clocked with a mid-90's fastball. That is so nasty if he really is 16.
The deal is the highest the A's have ever spent on a amateur player.
Today's Must Reads
“Michael has a chance to be a very special pitcher in the major leagues,” A’s general manager Billy Beane said. “Even at this early age, he is a very polished pitcher with three above-average pitches and a fluid delivery. We are very excited about this young man’s potential and look forward to watching his growth, both personally and professionally, in the years to come.”
Inoa said he wants to someday follow the career of Pedro Martinez.
Well Inoa I think the A's hope you have those goals too since they just cashed out for you.
“Pedro is my idol,” said Inoa, adding he intended to train hard to possibly surpass the achievements of the Dominican star.
So what Inoa? If he wasn't your idol you wouldn't train hard?
Fix your life and do it for you. You should train hard because if you carve a position in the Bay Area you will be getting so much boy band ass it will be out of control.
Beane and the A’s have been upgrading their efforts in the Dominican over the past year. He and a group of A’s executives, including owner Lewis Wolff, visited the Dominican Republic last month to scout and evaluate Inoa.
“There is no question that Michael is an impact prospect,” said Raymond Abreu, the organization’s director of Latin America operations. “In my opinion, he’s the most impressive Latin America player since Felix Hernandez (2002). As a pitcher, he has effortless mechanics with loose arm action on all his pitches and a clean, easy delivery. He’s an exceptional athlete and he throws a very heavy fastball."
comments (9) write a comment »
write a new comment
about 1 month ago
While I'm sure he'll be a great player and a great pitcher, this is ridiculous. It goes back to that making middle school kids verbally commit to colleges. Insane and totally dumb.
about 1 month ago
Well this is the wave of the future. Teams hate that they have to give $14 million to a sub-par vet like Carlos Silva, so why not grab the kid for $4 million and get 4 nasty pro seasons out of him for chump change. If you sign 10 kids like him for $4 mill and only one pans out to be a stud, then you've still only paid about 45 million in salary and bonuses for 4 stellar seasons w/ arb options - which is still less than you'd be paying Silva.
from about 1 month ago
Very good point Lou. The only thing is I don't think the success rate is 1 in 4 will be a stud. Not many become stud like pitchers.
from about 1 month ago
lou,
are you dealing in monopoly money?
burning $45 million on 10 kids with the hopes of finding one stud is no smarter than paying carlos silva. they are both bad moves. either way you need a better return on investment.
you wrote, "If you sign 10 kids like him ..."
if michael inoa is really 16, then you won't find 10 kids like him in your lifetime.
about 1 month ago
yo soy del apellido Inoa corona quereo que somos family por que en la republica Dominica solo al un apellido inoa quereo que no me equivo my E-mail es Zenyci@hotmail.com por favor me gustaria sabel como se llaman tus padres hase muchos anos que bine de aya vivo en alsaka des de que tengo uso de razon que siga con tu carera suerte
zeny
about 1 month ago
I think this is a little premature. Anyone, especially a young athlete can injure himself to the point where he all of a sudden cannot do what the team who signed him expects him to do. The A's get an A for scouting, and an F for instincts.
about 1 month ago
scott, thanks for the 411. i hadn't heard this news.
as i read your article, the first two thoughts that came to mind were danny almonte (is inoa really 16?!) and sidd finch (is this for real?!).
for those who've never heard of sidd finch, see http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/magazine/09/26/plimpton.finch/.
inoa's physical tools remind me of daniel cabrera. hopefully inoa turns out better than cabrera, who has disappointed orioles' fans for years.
about 1 month ago
I believe that Michael Inoa will flourish in his future career as a pitcher. I also think he will do very good in the Dominican Summer League and I hope he and his friend, my son Israel Perez (lefty pitcher from the Red Sox organization) will become successful in their years to come. I wish them the best of luck!!
Signed,
Julio Perez, father of Israel Perez.
about 1 month ago
What does Rick Peterson, the biomechanics expert, have to say about this kid? Good deal or bad?
write a new comment