The San Diego Padres announced today that the club has signed infielder/outfielder Corey Adamson (Australia), shortstop Alvaro Aristy (Dominican Republic), outfielder Luis Domoromo (Venezuela), and right-handed pitchers Adis Portillo (Venezuela) and Elvin Tavarez (Dominican Republic).  Director of International Scouting/Major League Scout Randy Smith made the announcement.

A little bit about the prospects direct from the Padres...

Adamson, 16, is from Perth, Australia.  The 6-foot-1, 180-pound infielder/outfielder helped the Western Australia Under 16 team to the National Championship in January.  He paced all tournament batters with two home runs, 17 RBI, 12 runs scored, 26 total bases, a 1.040 slugging percentage and a .618 on-base percentage.  Adamson hit at a .520 clip, third-best among tournament leaders.  In 2007, he participated in Major League Baseball’s Australian Baseball Academy.  

“Corey is one of the best athletes to come out of Australia in recent history,” Smith said.  “He is a five-tool player with plus speed.”

The 16-year-old Aristy is a native of Bani, Dominican Republic.  The 6-foot, 165-pound shortstop is ranked sixth on ESPN’s Best Latino Prospects of 2008 list. Said Smith: “We see Alvaro as the best pure shortstop in Latin America, both with his defensive ability along with his consistency at the plate.” 

Domoromo, 16, is a 6-foot-1, 170-pound outfielder from Portuguesa, Venezuela.  He is ranked as the fifth-best Latino Prospect by ESPN. “Luis is one of the most complete position players available," said Smith.  "He has a sound approach at the plate and the ability to hit the ball to all fields.”

Portillo, 16, is ranked third on ESPN’s Best Latino Prospects of 2008 list.  He is a 6-2, 192-pound right-hander from Maracaibo, Venezuela. “One of the most complete pitchers in Latin America with a fastball that has reached 93, Adis has great mechanics with a strong mound presence and command of three pitches,” Smith said. 

The 16-year-old Tavarez is a 6-2, 170-pound right-handed pitcher from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.  He is ranked as the 10th-best Latino Prospect by ESPN. "Elvin is a well-built right-hander with a fastball that reaches 90 and good rotation on his curve ball.”  Smith said.

Today marks the start of the period when 16-year-old international players who will turn 17 prior to the end of 2009 minor league season are eligible sign with Major League clubs. 

The Oakland Athletics announced today the club has agreed to terms with 16-year-old Dominican pitcher Michael Inoa, generally regarded as the top eligible prospect in Latin America this year.

Per the A's press release...

Inoa, a 6-7, 205-pound right-hander from Puerto Plata, D.R., was actively pursued by several Major League organizations before making his commitment to the A's.  Plans are he will play in the Dominican Summer League.

"Michael has a chance to be a very special pitcher in the Major Leagues," said Athletics’ Vice President and General Manager Billy Beane.  “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.”

Beane and a group of Athletics executives including Managing Partner Lew Wolff visited the Dominican Republic last month to scout and evaluate Inoa.  What they saw is a promising pitcher who features a fastball clocked consistently at 92 to 95 MPH—and projected to throw harder as his body fills out—and a quality curveball and change up.
 
During the past year, media and scouts from other Major League teams have reinforced Oakland’s assessment of Inoa’s abilities.  Among the superlatives:

ESPNdeportes.com called him “the Crown Jewel of the pool of Latin American Players.”

“Inoa is every scout’s dream.  He has it all,” one National League scout was quoted as saying in an ESPNdeportes.com article.

“He’s a once-in-a-decade type pitcher,” said one international scout in an issue of Baseball America.

The Oakland Athletics are scheduled to make a major player announcement in Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic on Wednesday at 11:30 AM ET.  If speculation is correct, the A's will announce the signing of super prospect Michael Inoa. 

In attendance at the press conference will be  Billy Beane, Vice President & General Manager, Billy Owens, Director of Player Personnel, and Raymond Abreu, Director of Latin America Operations.

As described in the report at Saber-Scouting, "Inoa is a 6′7, 205 lb pitcher with a low 90’s fastball that reaches 95, along with good feel for a curveball and changeup with a projectable body and feel that is beyond his years, despite lacking top-level coaching and being only 16 years old."

We'll have more info and reaction after the afternoon conference call with the attendees.