Oakland Athletics Sign 16-Year-Old Stud Pitcher To Record Deal

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.

“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."