Welcome to the International Signing Period

July 2 marks the start of Major League Baseball's International Signing Period, a time when clubs can sign eligible foreign players age 16 and up as free agents. The Period has already started with a bang, as Oakland has reportedly worked out a deal with Dominican pitcher Michael Inoa. Inoa's deal is said to be worth $4.25 million, smashing the record set by the Yankees signing of Wily Mo Pena.

For more coverage, be sure to check out

• ESPN's blurbs on the top International prospects


• Baseball America's International page


• and Saber Scouting's International page.


• Saber Scouting also has a good background on the International Signing Period, a detailed scouting report of Inoa, and shorter scouting reports on the other top International prospects.