Image Source: Cheri Bell
Key Takeaways
- The San Diego Padres have a history of signing top international prospects, with recent signings including catcher Ethan Salas and shortstop Leo De Vries.
- The 2026 signing window is open, with the Padres having $5.94 million available for signing players.
- The team has already signed several top prospects, including Cuban shortstop Joniel Hernandez and Mexican LHP Diego Serna.
- The signings are part of the team’s efforts to build a strong farm system and develop young talent.
- The signed players will begin their professional careers at the Padres’ complex in the Dominican Republic.
Introduction to the San Diego Padres’ International Signings
The San Diego Padres have a long history of signing top international prospects, with recent examples including catcher Ethan Salas, who signed in 2023, and shortstop Leo De Vries, who signed in 2024. The team has also had success with reliever Adrian Morejon, who was part of the biggest and most expensive Padres amateur class in 2016. As the 2026 signing window opened on January 15, the Padres were ready to make their moves, with $5.94 million available to them for signing players. According to the team’s plans, "the 2026 signing window is a crucial opportunity for us to build our farm system and develop young talent."
Top Signings in the 2026 Class
The Padres have already made some significant signings in the 2026 class, with two of the biggest bonuses going to Cuban shortstop Joniel Hernandez and Mexican LHP Diego Serna. Hernandez, who is just 16 years old, is a plus-runner with a plus-arm and athleticism, and has good bat speed, which could develop into above-average power. As one scout noted, "Hernandez has the skills to profile in center field if he doesn’t stick at shortstop." Serna, also 16, is a starter with a mid-90s fastball, a plus-slider, and a changeup, and is already 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds. The Padres also signed Curacao shortstop Timothy Mogen, who is 17 years old and has plus-speed and a plus-arm, and could develop power as he fills out his 6-foot-4, 170-pound frame.
Other Signings in the First 24 Hours
In addition to the top signings, the Padres also signed several other players in the first 24 hours of the signing window. These included RHP Joel Duarte, 17, from Venezuela, who was training as a shortstop but converted to pitching recently and has a plus-arm and a mid-90s fastball. The team also signed catcher Jhoneiker Leon from Venezuela, who has a strong arm and plus-power as a hitter, and RHP Jordan Perez, a Cuban who has starter tools and a low-90s fastball and a good curveball. As Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported, "the Padres are excited about the potential of these young players and look forward to seeing them develop in the coming years." LHP Joel Gonzalez from Panama and shortstop Osmy Osorio from Venezuela were also signed, although there are no current scouting reports available for these players.
The Signing Process and What’s Next
The signing process for international players is complex, with all players required to be 16 before they sign and turn 17 by September 1 of the following year. They must also be registered with MLB before signing. The Padres’ international signings will begin their professional careers at the team’s complex in the Dominican Republic, where they will live and train with other young players. As one team official noted, "our complex in the Dominican Republic is a state-of-the-art facility that provides our young players with the best possible environment to develop their skills." The Dominican Summer League is home to several of the Padres’ top prospects, including No. 9 prospect Deivid Coronil and No. 17 prospect Jhoan De La Cruz, who played for the DSL Padres Gold team last year. Some players may play more than one season in the Dominican, but the more advanced players will transfer stateside to begin their US careers with Lake Elsinore.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The San Diego Padres’ international signings are an important part of the team’s efforts to build a strong farm system and develop young talent. With the 2026 signing window open, the team has already made some significant moves, signing top prospects like Joniel Hernandez and Diego Serna. As the team looks to the future, it’s clear that these young players will play a key role in shaping the Padres’ success in the years to come. As one team official noted, "we’re excited about the potential of these young players and look forward to seeing them develop into major league stars." With their strong scouting system and commitment to developing young talent, the Padres are well-positioned to compete in the years to come.
https://www.gaslampball.com/minors/52677/padres-sign-3-of-the-top-100-international-prospects
