Michael Inoa
Encyclopedia
Michael Ynoa is a Dominican-American
pitcher
who is commonly known as "Michael Inoa." Ynoa is signed with the Oakland Athletics
for the amount of 4.25 million dollars, setting a new record for the A's organization after lefty pitcher Mark Mulder
was signed for 3.2 million in 1998. Ynoa was named the "Number One" and the "crown jewel" in the "Best Latino Prospects of 2008. " Ynoa is said to be the most impressive Latin American player prospect since Felix Hernandez
in 2002.
He is 20 years of age, he is 6 feet 7 inches, and weighs 210lbs (pounds), and two Major League Baseball
teams (Cincinnati Reds
, Texas Rangers
) "reportedly offered Ynoa about $5 million." It was reported that Ynoa signed with Oakland not New York, who he had originally verbally agreed on a deal with, because of the better treatment of the Oakland staff, the management style of General Manager Billy Beane
, and the better pitcher development record in Oakland.
After pitching nine innings in the Arizona League
, Ynoa underwent Tommy John surgery
.
in July 2008. Although Michael's last name is more commonly spelled with an "I," as of February 2009, he will be using the original spelling "Ynoa." "According to A's director of player development Keith Lieppman, [Y]noa will start going by the original spelling of his last name, 'Ynoa.' Somewhere along the line, there was a mixup on the spelling, and the pitcher's name made its way into the public forum with an 'I.'"
Dominican American
A Dominican American is any American who has origins in the Dominican Republic.Immigration records of Dominicans in the United States date from the late 19th century, and New York City has had a Dominican community since the 1930s...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who is commonly known as "Michael Inoa." Ynoa is signed with the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for the amount of 4.25 million dollars, setting a new record for the A's organization after lefty pitcher Mark Mulder
Mark Mulder
Mark Alan Mulder is a retired left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Oakland Athletics:...
was signed for 3.2 million in 1998. Ynoa was named the "Number One" and the "crown jewel" in the "Best Latino Prospects of 2008. " Ynoa is said to be the most impressive Latin American player prospect since Felix Hernandez
Félix Hernández
Félix Abraham Hernández , nicknamed "King Félix", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners....
in 2002.
He is 20 years of age, he is 6 feet 7 inches, and weighs 210lbs (pounds), and two Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
teams (Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
) "reportedly offered Ynoa about $5 million." It was reported that Ynoa signed with Oakland not New York, who he had originally verbally agreed on a deal with, because of the better treatment of the Oakland staff, the management style of General Manager Billy Beane
Billy Beane
William Lamar "Billy" Beane III is a former Major League Baseball player and the current general manager and minority owner of the Oakland Athletics...
, and the better pitcher development record in Oakland.
After pitching nine innings in the Arizona League
Arizona League
The Arizona League is a minor league baseball league that operates in and around Phoenix, Arizona. It is a rookie-level professional baseball league run by Major League Baseball since 1989. Games are played at the spring training complexes of the team's parent organizations from mid-June until the...
, Ynoa underwent Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
.
Spelling of name
"Michel Ynoa" is the original spelling of Michael's name. His first name was anglicized to "Michael" after he signed with the Oakland AthleticsOakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
in July 2008. Although Michael's last name is more commonly spelled with an "I," as of February 2009, he will be using the original spelling "Ynoa." "According to A's director of player development Keith Lieppman, [Y]noa will start going by the original spelling of his last name, 'Ynoa.' Somewhere along the line, there was a mixup on the spelling, and the pitcher's name made its way into the public forum with an 'I.'"