Indians sign 16-year old catcher

The Cleveland Indians today signed amateur CA MARTIN ?ERVENKA to a non-drafted free agent minor league contract. ?ervenka, 16, is a right-handed hitting catcher from Prague, Czech Republic and was signed by Peter Gahan, the club’s Australia and Europe scouting supervisor.

To continue his development while finishing high school ?ervenka and the Indians have agreed upon a specific playing plan for the next two seasons. ?ervenka will continue to compete for his club team, KOTLARKA, during the 2009 season. He will travel to Goodyear for extended spring training during his school holidays and spend the 2009 and 2010 summers at the MLB Academy in Australia (Australian Summer League). He will maintain this plan until his high school commitment has been completed (high school in the Czech Republic ends at age 19).

“Martin is a young, athletic catcher with a projectable body and an excellent work ethic and aptitude,” said Assistant General Manager, Scouting Operations JOHN MIRABELLI. “These qualities along with his physical ability are definitely assets for him as he starts his professional catching career.”