Michael Ynoa

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Michael Ynoa

| image = Michael Ynoa (34095749760) (cropped).jpg

| caption = Ynoa pitching for the Chicago White Sox in 2017

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1991|09|24}}

| birth_place = Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = June 14

| debutyear = 2016

| debutteam = Chicago White Sox

| finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = July 1

| finalyear = 2017

| finalteam = Chicago White Sox

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 2–0

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 4.42

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 53

| teams =

Chicago White Sox ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2017}})

}}

Michael Jose Ynoa Ventura ({{ne}} Michel;{{cite news |quote=They will then introduce their prize amateur addition: 16-year-old Dominican right-hander Michel Inoa... The A's might introduce the 6-foot-7 pitcher as 'Michael' Inoa, as there have been thoughts about anglicizing his name after he signed.|authorlink=Susan Slusser |last1=Slusser |first1=Susan |title=Injury is still keeping Chavez from the field |url=https://www.sfgate.com/athletics/article/Injury-is-still-keeping-Chavez-from-the-field-3207696.php |access-date=18 July 2021 |work=SF Gate |date=2 July 2008}} born September 24, 1991) is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox.

Career

=Oakland Athletics=

Ynoa signed with the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB) for $4.25 million, 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."{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3433834|title=Inoa, 16, at head of Latin American prospect class|first=Enrique|last=Rojas|work=ESPN|access-date=July 2, 2008}} Ynoa was said to be the most impressive Latin American player prospect since Félix Hernández in 2002.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3470209 |title=Inoa agrees to $4.25M signing bonus, minor league deal with A's |publisher=ESPN |date=July 2, 2008 |access-date=July 12, 2008}} Two MLB teams (Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers) "reportedly offered Ynoa about $5 million."Jeff Passan, "Ynoa becomes a sign of the times", Yahoo! Sports, Exclusive, July 3, 2008, found at [https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-inoa070308&prov=yhoo&type=lgns Yahoo Sports]. Retrieved July 3, 2008. It was reported that Ynoa signed with Oakland after a deal fell through with the New York Yankees. The Yankees reportedly broke off talks with Ynoa after agent Adam Katz sought to renegotiate a handshake agreement with the club.

In August 2010, after pitching nine innings in the Arizona League, Ynoa underwent Tommy John surgery.{{cite news|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/athletics/ci_15774694?nclick_check=1|title=A's lose top pitching prospect Michael Ynoa to Tommy John surgery|first=Joe|last=Stiglich|work=Mercury News|date=August 14, 2010|accessdate=August 20, 2010}} Ynoa's contract was selected by the Athletics on November 20, 2012, and he was added to the 40-man roster.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}}

=Chicago White Sox=

After the 2014 season, the Athletics traded Ynoa and Jeff Samardzija to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Marcus Semien, Chris Bassitt, Rangel Ravelo, and Josh Phegley.{{cite web|url = https://www.mlb.com/news/white-sox-acquire-samardzija-from-as-in-six-player-deal/c-103578536|title = White Sox acquire Samardzija from A's in six-player deal|website = MLB.com| date=December 9, 2014 |access-date = December 9, 2014|archive-date = December 14, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141214123054/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/103578536/white-sox-acquire-samardzija-from-as|url-status = live}}

On June 14, 2016, the White Sox promoted Ynoa to the major leagues.{{cite web| url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/white-sox-recall-right-hander-michael-ynoa| title=Michael Ynoa recalled, pitches 2 scoreless innings in debut|date=June 15, 2016}} In 45 games over the 2016-2017 seasons, Ynoa compiled a 2-0 record, with a 4.42 ERA in 59 innings. He was released on March 15, 2018.

=Kansas City Royals=

On November 13, 2018, Ynoa signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.{{cite tweet|number=1062470681449897984|user=Royals|title=We have signed right-handed pitcher Michael Ynoa to a minor league contract. |date=November 13, 2018}} He was assigned to the Triple–A Omaha Storm Chasers to start the 2019 season. He was released on May 29.

=Oakland Athletics (second stint)=

On February 12, 2020, Ynoa signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics organization. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=September 27, 2024|website=mlb.com|language=en}} Ynoa became a free agent on November 2.{{Cite web|title=Full List of 2020-2021 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/full-list-of-2020-2021-milb-free-agents/|access-date=September 27, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 2, 2020 |language=en}}

=Acereros de Monclova=

On December 29, 2020, Ynoa signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies organization.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/12/phillies-sign-michael-ynoa-to-minor-league-contract.html|title=Phillies Sign Michael Ynoa To Minor League Contract|date=December 31, 2020|last=Byrne|first=Connor|publisher=MLB Trade Rumors|work=mlbtraderumors.com|accessdate=January 16, 2021}} Prior to the start of the season on March 27, 2021, Ynoa was released by the Phillies.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/03/minor-mlb-transactions-32721.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 3/27/21|date=March 27, 2021 }}

On April 20, 2022, Ynoa signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.{{Cite web |title=Michael Ynoa Stats, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.milb.com/player/michael-ynoa-573589|access-date=2022-05-25 |website=MiLB.com |language=en}} In 12 appearances out of the bullpen, Ynoa posted a 1–0 record with a 3.60 ERA over 10 innings pitched. He was released by the team on May 24.

=Mariachis de Guadalajara=

On May 25, 2022, Ynoa signed with the Mariachis de Guadalajara of the Mexican League. In 13 games for Guadalajara, he logged a 1–2 record and 2.57 ERA with 17 strikeouts across 14 innings pitched. Ynoa was released by the Mariachis on July 9.

Spelling of name

"Michel Ynoa" is the original spelling of Ynoa's name. His first name was anglicized from "Michel" to "Michael" after he signed as an amateur with the Oakland Athletics in July 2008. Early in his career, Ynoa's last name was mistakenly spelled "Inoa." He and the Athletics corrected the error in February 2009. His surname reverted to the original spelling, although he maintained the anglicized forename.{{cite web|url=http://www.insidebayarea.com/athletics/ci_11752474 |accessdate=March 10, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606141742/http://www.insidebayarea.com/athletics/ci_11752474 |archivedate=June 6, 2011 |title=Late arrival big in early plans of A's |date=February 20, 2009}}

Personal life

Ynoa's younger brother, Huascar, is also a professional baseball pitcher.{{cite web| url = http://m.mlb.com/news/article/82154470/twins-lock-up-pitching-prospect-huascar-ynoa| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170509131928/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/82154470/twins-lock-up-pitching-prospect-huascar-ynoa| archive-date = 2017-05-09| title = Twins lock up pitching prospect Huascar Ynoa| website = MLB.com}}