The 2026 international signing period opened Thursday and the San Diego Padres wasted little time, signing three players from Baseball America’s top-100 prospects list according to Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The top signee for San Diego is Cuban shortstop Joniel Hernandez. Reports have stated Hernandez, who is just 16 years old, projects as a shortstop or centerfielder. The Padres also signed Mexican pitcher Diego Serna and Curacao shortstop Timothy Mogen. Sanders states there are other reported signings, but they have not been confirmed by the team.
