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January 2026 - International Signing
#11 · October 11, 2025, 3:46 pm
Here are a couple of young Cuban pitchers who might interest Pads to sign as part of the 2025 international class:
https://x.com/francysromerofr/status/1976006702911930547?s=61&t=xK5Nc5LZwNGBok98S0oJmg
#12 · November 23, 2025, 8:48 pm
Discovered a new name to watch for January 2026 approaching signing period for Padres: Diego Cerna (turns 17 yrs in March] who is a LHP 6’3 205 pitcher from Yucatán.
#13 · November 29, 2025, 1:43 pm
Joniel Hernandez is listed 13th in mlb.com top 50 international prospects for upcoming 2026 signing period.
#14 · January 11, 2026, 12:41 am
Found an article that ties 7 players to the Pads once the international signing period opens on 1/15/26. Some we have already discussed: Cuban SS Joniel Hernandez and Mexican LHP Diego Serna.
New names listed in the article: Aruban OF Timothy Mogen; Cuban RHP Jordan Perez; Hungarian C Marko Morua (will be the first Hungarian to ever sign with a MLB team); Dominican Republic CF Luis Alfredo Rodriguez; and Venezuelan INF Cristhian Herrero. The approximate $3.2 million spent lives around $2.75 million left to spend. is there another big name out there we don't know we are connected with? Go Pads!
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#15 · January 15, 2026, 11:57 am
Happy International Signing Day! The reports for International Signees are beginning to role in. Linked is an article listing the first 3 big signees, from the mothership, Padres.com. It was players already linked to the Padres: Cuban SS Joniel Hernandez; Mexican LHP Diego Serna; and Aruban INF Timothy Mogen. A more detailed list of international signees by the Pads will be released some time within the next week or so. Go Pads!
https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/san-diego-padres-2026-international-signings?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage
#16 · January 15, 2026, 12:28 pm
On Monday, it was reported that the San Diego Padres have agreed to terms with Hungarian catching prospect Márkó Morua.
He is the grandson of Antonio Morua, a Cuban who played a key role in introducing baseball to Hungary and is widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of the sport in the country. Morua becomes the first Hungarian player ever to sign a contract with an Major League Baseball organization. He is considered a plus defender behind the plate with a lot of pop.
The 16-year-old has been training at Baseheat Academy in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic. It was there that he caught the attention of scouts from several MLB teams before ultimately reaching an agreement with the Padres.
Earlier this year, Morua represented Hungary in the U-18 European Championship qualifier in Bulgaria, where he stood out as one of the tournament’s top performers. He posted a 1.640 OPS and hit a home run, helping lead Hungary to qualification for next year’s U-18 European Championship. He played alongside his older brother, 18-year-old pitcher Martin Morua, who is also on the radar of a few MLB teams.
Márkó Morua is expected to join the Dominican Summer League in 2026, adding to the growing list of European players entering MLB systems. As baseball continues to expand across the continent, Morua is set to become a trailblazer—hoping to be the first Hungarian-born and raised player to reach the Major Leagues.
Thought this was an interesting back story.
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#17 · January 15, 2026, 4:27 pm
Quote from fenn68 on January 15, 2026, 12:28 pmOn Monday, it was reported that the San Diego Padres have agreed to terms with Hungarian catching prospect Márkó Morua.
He is the grandson of Antonio Morua, a Cuban who played a key role in introducing baseball to Hungary and is widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of the sport in the country. Morua becomes the first Hungarian player ever to sign a contract with an Major League Baseball organization. He is considered a plus defender behind the plate with a lot of pop.
The 16-year-old has been training at Baseheat Academy in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic. It was there that he caught the attention of scouts from several MLB teams before ultimately reaching an agreement with the Padres.
Earlier this year, Morua represented Hungary in the U-18 European Championship qualifier in Bulgaria, where he stood out as one of the tournament’s top performers. He posted a 1.640 OPS and hit a home run, helping lead Hungary to qualification for next year’s U-18 European Championship. He played alongside his older brother, 18-year-old pitcher Martin Morua, who is also on the radar of a few MLB teams.
Márkó Morua is expected to join the Dominican Summer League in 2026, adding to the growing list of European players entering MLB systems. As baseball continues to expand across the continent, Morua is set to become a trailblazer—hoping to be the first Hungarian-born and raised player to reach the Major Leagues.
Thought this was an interesting back story.
Francys Romero says that Morua had registration issues and is being pushed into the 2027 class as a result.
#18 · January 16, 2026, 7:24 am
Below are some interesting comments from Padres VP of International and Amateur Scouting Chris Kemp about the 2026 International Class from the Chris Sanders article from the San Diego Union Tribune.
Already, Kemp is expecting more signings in the coming days. The 2026 window will close Dec. 15.
“Every year is different,” Kemp said. “We’ve got a few playbooks with our international scouting depending on the cycle of the year, the talent. The timing in international scouting is huge and how that dictates a class. But (2026) will be a depth class with a lot of interesting prospects.”
Kemp added: “You’re trusting your guys on the ground. Maybe some (prospects) not on the radar, so to speak. We’re digging around all year and I think you’re going to see a crop of starting pitching, a lot of athletes and some guys that know how to play the game. It’s going to be a pretty big class and pretty excited with the upside.”
The article also included some other international signees that Baseball America had reported.
Baseball America has also reported the Padres agreed to deals with Venezuelan right-hander Joel Duarte, Venezuelan catcher Jhoneiker Leon, Cuban right-hander Jordan Pérez and Panamanian left-hander Joel Gonzalez, although the team has not confirmed those agreements.
The Cuban RHP Jordan Perez had been linked to us already, but not Duarte, Leon or Gonzalez.
Here is a link to the first day signing recap from the mothership, Padres.com, with a brief interview of Chris Kemp. Go AJP, Kemp and Staff!
https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/san-diego-padres-2026-international-signings?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage
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