In January of 2025, the San Diego Padres believed themselves to be in the running for the top international prospect, Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki. That ended up not being the case, but the organization pivoted quickly and signed three of the top forty remaining prospects.

With their $6.26 million bonus pool allotment, the Padres signed 17-year-old Dominican shortstop Jhoan De La Cruz for $1 million, 17-year-old LHP Carlos Alvarez for $1 million (also out of the Dominican Republic), and 17-year-old Venezuelan shortstop Deivid Coronil for $900,000. They were listed as the # 21, #39 and #35 prospects available, respectively.

After locking up those top prospects, the Padres signed Venezuelan outfielder Sebastian Pena for $600,000 and Venezuelan shortstop Yonaiker Hernandez for $100,000. Dominican right hander Miguel Ledesma signed for $25,000, Mexican right hander Jesus Castro (brother of Padres minor league pitcher Manuel Castro) for $10,000 and Mexican switch-hitting infielder Santiago Vargas for $10,000. There were multiple other international players, who signed without receiving a signing bonus.

After their January signs, the Padres still had approximately $2.5 million left for the rest of the signing period. All signings have to take place between Jan. 15- Dec. 15, 2025.

Shortly after losing Game 3 of the Wild Card Series to the Cubs, the Padres announced their latest international signing. Taiwanese RHP Lan-Hong Su, 18 years old, signed for $750,000 and came to San Diego this past week to meet with Padres President of Baseball Operations, A.J. Preller and was also photographed with Yu Darvish. Su appeared in September’s 18U Baseball World Cup for Chinese Taipei and pitched a total of 7.1 innings as their closer. He had 14 strikeouts to three walks with a 2-0 record and 2.46 ERA.

Su is expected to be developed as a starter and currently highlights a 90-94 mph fastball with an 80-83 mph slider and a split-change. He is currently 6-foot-2 and 155 pounds with room to grow and develop further.

There remains around $2 million left in the Padres pool for future signings, but they must conclude their international class before Dec. 15.

Focus Taiwan, an English language news outlet, revealed that Su will be assigned to the DSL Padres Brown and will wear #11 after his idol, Darvish.