The San Diego Padres are making waves in the international prospect market, and their recent signings are a testament to their commitment to building a strong future. They've consistently been at the forefront of securing top international talent, and this year is no different. But what exactly is happening, and why should we care? Let's dive in!
We've seen this before. Remember catcher Ethan Salas in 2023 and shortstop Leo De Vries in 2024? And who could forget top reliever Adrian Morejon, a 2016 signee who was part of the Padres' biggest and most expensive amateur class?
The 2026 signing window opened on January 15th and will close on December 15th. The Padres have a cool $5.94 million available to them for signing players. While the total amount spent so far isn't public knowledge, the initial moves are exciting.
Their two biggest bonuses went to Cuban shortstop Joniel Hernandez ($1.4 million) and Mexican LHP Diego Serna ($1 million), which is a fantastic start. Both are ranked in the top 100 by Baseball America, and they're joined by Curacao shortstop Timothy Mogen, who signed for $600,00. All three had agreements with the organization before the official window opened.
Let's take a closer look at these promising young players:
- Joniel Hernandez (#31), a 16-year-old with impressive athleticism and a strong arm. He's a plus-runner with good bat speed, and the potential for above-average power. If shortstop doesn't work out, he could easily transition to center field.
- Diego Serna (#45), also 16, might be the best lefty pitcher in this class. Standing at 6'3" and 205 pounds, he throws a mid-90s fastball, a plus-slider, and a changeup that's already quite advanced, thanks to his extensive experience in Mexico.
- Timothy Mogen (#76), a 17-year-old shortstop from Aruba with plus-speed and a strong arm. He could develop power as he fills out his 6'4", 170-pound frame. He also has good contact skills and a high baseball IQ.
But the Padres didn't stop there. In the first 24 hours, they also signed:
- Joel Duarte (RHP, 17, $150,000) from Venezuela. He was training as a shortstop but recently converted to pitching, showcasing a plus-arm. At 6'2" and 185 pounds, he's already hitting a mid-90s fastball, topping out at 98 mph.
- Jhoneiker Leon, a catcher from Venezuela with a strong arm and impressive power at the plate.
- Jordan Perez (RHP, $300,000), a Cuban pitcher with starter potential. He currently throws a low-90s fastball and a solid curveball.
- Joel Gonzalez (LHP) from Panama and shortstop Osmy Osorio from Venezuela. Unfortunately, there aren't any current scouting reports available for these players.
Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported these signings, but they haven't been officially confirmed by the team.
Expect more signings over the next year. All international players must be 16 before signing and turn 17 by September 1st of the following year. They must also be registered with MLB before signing. Players signed before summer will join the Padres' international group in the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Summer League (DSL) is where many of the Padres' top prospects hone their skills. Last year, we saw infielder Deivid Coronil and Jhoan De La Cruz, who played in the DSL Padres Gold team. Some players spend more than one season in the Dominican, while more advanced players head to Lake Elsinore to begin their US careers.
This is a critical strategy for the Padres. They are clearly investing in the future, and these international signings could pay huge dividends.
What do you think of the Padres' strategy? Are they making the right moves? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
