The San Diego Padres have historically excelled in attracting some of the most promising international baseball talent. Notable signings include catcher Ethan Salas in 2023 and shortstop Leo De Vries in 2024, along with top reliever Adrian Morejon, who was brought on board in 2016 as part of the largest and priciest amateur class the Padres have ever assembled.
As of January 15, 2026, the signing window is officially open and will run until December 15 of this year. The Padres currently have a budget of $5.94 million allocated for new signings. Although the total amount they have spent so far remains undisclosed, two substantial bonuses have already made headlines: $1.4 million awarded to Cuban shortstop Joniel Hernandez and $1 million to Mexican left-handed pitcher Diego Serna, marking a promising start to their recruitment efforts.
Both Hernandez and Serna are recognized among the top 100 prospects, according to Baseball America, and they are joined by Curacao shortstop Timothy Mogen, who has signed for $600,000. Each of these players had prior agreements with the Padres, and their signings were announced shortly after the signing period opened.
At just 16 years old, Hernandez is ranked #31 and stands out as an exceptional athlete known for his speed and strong throwing arm. He possesses impressive bat speed, with the potential to develop power that could exceed average levels. Should he not maintain his position at shortstop, he has the versatility and skill set necessary to transition into center field effectively.
Ranked #45, 16-year-old Serna is being touted as potentially the best left-handed pitcher in this signing class. With a height of 6-foot-3 and weighing 205 pounds, he boasts a starter’s profile, delivering a fastball that consistently reaches the mid-90s, complemented by a strong slider and a changeup that has matured considerably, thanks to his extensive pitching experience in Mexico.
Meanwhile, #76 Mogen, a 17-year-old shortstop from Aruba, brings a combination of impressive speed and a powerful arm to the table. Standing tall at 6-foot-4 and weighing 170 pounds, he displays excellent contact skills and possesses a high baseball IQ, indicating a bright future as he continues to develop.
In the first 24 hours of the signing period, other notable players were also secured:
Right-handed pitcher Joel Duarte, aged 17, hails from Venezuela. Originally trained as a shortstop, he has recently transitioned to pitching, showcasing a strong arm. At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, he starts with a mid-90s fastball and has even clocked pitches at 98 mph.
Catcher Jhoneiker Leon, also from Venezuela, is noted for his strong arm and power-hitting capabilities.
Jordan Perez, a right-handed pitcher from Cuba, received a $300,000 signing bonus and possesses starter-level tools, featuring a low-90s fastball and a solid curveball.
Left-handed pitcher Joel Gonzalez comes from Panama, while shortstop Osmy Osorio is another prospect from Venezuela; however, there are currently no scouting reports available for either player.
These signings were initially reported by Jeff Sanders from the San Diego Union-Tribune, though confirmation from the Padres organization is still awaited.
Looking ahead, more signings are anticipated over the next year. It’s important to note that all international players must be 16 years old before they can sign, with a requirement to turn 17 by September 1 of the following year. Additionally, every player must be registered with Major League Baseball prior to signing. Those who are signed before summer will join the Padres' international group, which lives and trains at the team’s complex in the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Summer League (DSL) has served as a nurturing ground for various top prospects within the Padres organization. For instance, last year witnessed the participation of Deivid Coronil, an infielder ranked as the number 9 prospect, who spent his rookie season with the DSL Padres Gold team alongside Jhoan De La Cruz, the number 17 prospect. Cruz, who plays both shortstop and second base, also shared the infield with Coronil during their inaugural season.
Some players in the DSL may spend more than just their rookie season there; however, those who demonstrate advanced skills typically make the transition stateside to kick off their careers in the United States, beginning with teams like Lake Elsinore.
