Oakland nabs Inoa

[piccione88]

John Manuel of baseball america, has reported that 16 year old, pitcher Michel Inoa, from the Dominican Republic has signed a deal with the oakland athletics, that includes a 4.25 million dollar signing bonus. That is the richest bonus any amatuer international free-agent, not from cuba has ever received.

 

In the article, the A's assistant GM David Frost is quoted with saying, "He has a fastball in the mid-90s, a loose arm, a breaking ball and changeup. He's as polished as you can imagine a 16-year-old being." Also in the article Inoa is described as being a once in a generation talent.

[Brian the Automator]

He's as polished as you can imagine a 16-year-old being

What are the actual chances of him actually being 16 years old?

[sheetskout]

I'm glad he signed with Oakland instead of a larger market. Billy Beane and his staff do it again.....

[piccione88]

Brian are you suggesting that a player would lie about his age?

[PeaveyFury]

What are the actual chances of him actually being 16 years old?

 

I've heard rumors he's actually 63.

[splitterpfj]

I'd much rather pursue veteran talent from the Japanese League, than pay money like this to a 16-year-old. There's too much risk here, I'm glad the Brewers didn't do this.

[interestobserver]

More upside, but a huge risk. The A's won the bidding by putting all their eggs in one basket.

[sheetskout]

Any video of the kid out yet?

[GAME05]

didn't the Brewers do this a couple years ago with a 17-year-old pitcher? and isn't he pretty much a non-prospect now?

[JoeHova]

yeah, Rolando Pascual, the top international pitcher from the 2005 class. He's still only 19 though I guess he kinda is a non-prospect at this point, with a career ERA of 10 and WHIP of 2.

[interestobserver]

Pitchers can bust easily, especially at 16. Very few of the IFA bonus babies have been that incredible and the ones that have panned out are as likely to be low dollar signees. Guys are still growing at that age. Jose Reyes got a 20k bonus and had a hard time getting that.

[GAME05]

i feel the same way. Oakland gives this kid $4+ million, but for the rate of panning out, would you say they're about equal to a high first-rounder? if so, then you're talking about investing $20 million in the hopes that just one of these guys ends up as something. that doesn't seem like a wise investment.

 

although for Pasqual, i think half the reason the Brewers wanted to sign him is they hadn't done anything in Latin America yet, and just to beat out other teams to him was a big statement that we could compete in that avenue, too.

[piccione88]

According to ESPN Inoa turned down 5 million dollars, and a major league deal from the Reds, as well as a 5.25 million dollar bonus from the Rangers.