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The International Signing Period

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [June 17, 2009 at 4:52pm CST]

Here's some detail on the international signing period, which begins in just a couple weeks:

Most international players aren't eligible to be drafted; they're signed as free agents instead.
The signing period begins July 2nd.
The youngest eligible players for this year were born in late August and early September, 1993.
This year's international free agents must turn 17 by September 1st 2010, or the end of their first pro season, whichever is later.
Check out this article by Baseball America's Ben Badler to see how the Reds signed Juan Duran before anyone- even his own agent- thought he was eligible.
Players don't make their pro debut until the calendar year after they're first eligible to be signed.
They can sign with any major league team.
Players can sign after August 31st if they don't do so immediately.
Some players older than 16 will sign as well.

Michael Ynoa set a record last year when he signed for a $4.25MM bonus. It doesn't look like Miguel Angel Sano will best that mark this year, but he's easily been the summer's most heavily hyped international prospect.

Thanks to Cot's Baseball Contracts, Kiley McDaniel and Ben Badler.

Full Story | Comments (8) | Categories: MLBTR Glossary

Comments

Front Office needs to step up and sign this cat. No excuses.

Posted by: BuccoNation | June 17, 2009 at 05:00 PM

How often does a GM go see a prospect in person? If it's as uncommon as I think it is, Johnny Mo must be pretty interested.

Sign Shelby soon and then get Mateo or Sano on board.

Posted by: Cardinals Fan Forever | June 17, 2009 at 05:19 PM

Why were the Dodgers able to sign that high school kid from Korea yesterday, instead of having to wait until 7/2?

Posted by: ToddSm66 | June 17, 2009 at 06:02 PM

Ben: Its Michael Inoa

Posted by: FreeSide | June 17, 2009 at 06:04 PM

FreeSide, it is actually Ynoa now...not sure how/when/why but he did change it.

Posted by: Jared78 | June 17, 2009 at 06:07 PM

Wow i guess you really do learn a little something new everyday. Ben my apologize, your doing a great job filling in for Tim. Keep it Up!

Posted by: FreeSide | June 17, 2009 at 06:24 PM

Thanks... It's pretty confusing, actually, with so many versions of his name.

Posted by: Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 17, 2009 at 07:06 PM

Just for clarity's sake - his original name is Michel Ynoa. He Americanized his first name to "Michael" upon signing with Oakland, and "Inoa" is simply a common misspelling of his last name (pronounced eee-know-ah).

Posted by: Chris W. | June 17, 2009 at 07:13 PM

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The International Signing Period

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