NewsWhore
07-03-2008, 02:30 PM
If all goes according to plan, Michael Inoa's next stop will be Cooperstown. There has been a tremendous amount of hype and media scrutiny surrounding the 16-year old's signing with the Oakland Athletics. Expectations for Inoa's success are becoming seemingly insurmountable. During a press conference yesterday, Inoa, a 6'7 and 210lb prospect, officially signed with the As and with it accepted a US$4.5 million signing bonus. According to Baseball America.com, Inoa's is the richest deal ever for an international amateur who is not from Cuba, eclipsing both the $2.44 million paid to Willy Mo Pena as part of his major league contract back in 1999, and the straight $2.25 million bonus paid by the Dodgers to Joel Guzman in 2001. Inoa is considered the best player in the DR and possibly the best player in Latin America. Speaking at the press conference, Inoa said that he was very excited about his signing and added that he hoped to surpass the success of his idol, Pedro Martinez.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#12)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#12)