[Romero] Cuban SS Joniel Hernandez officially signs with the San Diego Padres. Bonus deal: $1.4M. Hernandez is a talent who combines speed, power, and contact. He can play shortstop and center field. He left Cuba at 13 and is now fulfilling his dream.

14 comments

1. International? Prospect? Shortstop?! We’re so back!

   

2. Future A’s superstar

3. We are never escaping the “team of shortstops” allegations, and I’m OK with this

4. How old is he

5. With Quintana a little ahead of him, encouraging that we are restocking the pipeline at SS/CF a bit. Would be nice to see another homegrown success story.

6. I just hope we keep him. Develop primarily but keep long term. Padres have been making more noise in trades and free agency when it comes to getting new players but looking back at all of the prospects we traded hurts a bit lol

7. Yeah many current and past MLB stars came up as SS then developed into other positions. If you can hit a ball hard and well enough they will find a spot for you to play.

8. Shortstops. Shortstops everywhere.

9. SS’s can play anywhere on the diamond. Hopefully we will see him in a Padre uniform. Have to hit on more of these players which gives them flexibility they don’t have with backloaded anchor Manny and X contracts.

10. Hope we keep him and develop him. Only have so many signings that end up with the team. Always end up in trades. Maybe future left fielder or SS to take over Xander.

11. But, can he hit pitches for power down and away?

12. wonder who he will eventually play for

13. Whats his international prospects ranking?

14. Can’t wait to see who we trade him for