Padres Sign 6 International Free Agents

[Steve Drumwright]

 

With the clock ticking on the signing window for international free agents, the San Diego Padres are busy picking up late signees.

The Padres have signed six young internationals in recent days. Four of those were reported by Francys Romero, who has the pulse of the international scene, while two are listed on the Padres' minor-league transactions.

Most of the signings coincided with an under-18 tournament currently being held in the Dominican Republic, where Romero reports that new owners Jose E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones met with A.J. Preller, president of baseball operations, and Chris Kemp, vice president of amateur and international scouting.

The four players at the Dominican tournament are 18-year-old Venezuelan right-hander Moises Alcade, 17-year-old Panamanian left-hander Yeremy De Leon, 17-year-old Venezuelan left-hander Raymer Moreno and 17-year-old Cuban infielder Omar Guerra. The other two 20-year-old Venezuelan outfielder Lenyert Rios and 17-year-old right-hander Alexis Medina.

Romero reported bonuses of $20,000 for Alcade, $30,000 for De Leon, $50,000 for Moreno and $25,000 for Guerra.

Alcade is the ace of the Venezuela team with a 91-93 mph fastball and a projected plus slider. Moreno currently sits 86-90 mph with his fastball, which is projected to develop into the mid-90s. Guerra is a contact-oriented hitter who can play anywhere on the infield.

These six join 20-year-old Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Nogami, who signed a couple weeks ago. Combined, the Padres have signed more than 50 internationals, the most of any MLB team.

The current international signing period ends Dec. 15, with a dead period and next year's signings able to begin Jan. 15. However, that could all change in the collective-bargaining agreement as a potential international draft could be installed.

 

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