Padres sign multiple top 40 international prospects after losing out on number one target

After this off-season's number one international prospect Roki Sasaki made the disappointing decision to join the Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Diego Padres were forced to pivot and look elsewhere in the class for their next potential superstar. After spending weeks trying to convince Sasaki to come to San Diego, his decision left the team with more than enough international pool money to make a splash, something that AJ Preller hopes he has done with three new signings.

As Padres fans have been hounded with what seems like day-after-day of bad news, the three new international signings are sure to add some hope to a defeated fan base. With a history of success on the international market, and with the high rankings of the Padres three new additions, the chance that at least one of the signings pans out seems very likely.

Padres sign multiple top 40 international prospects after losing out on number one target

Hoping to sign the number one international prospect for the third year running but ultimately losing out, Preller and the Padres turned to the rest of the class for their next signings. With the $6.8 million in pool money available, deals were reached with shortstops Jhoan De La Cruz and Deivid Coronil, as well as left-handed pitcher Carlos Alvarez.

De La Cruz, the highest ranked of the three coming in at number 21 on the MLB's top 50 international prospect list, has been regarded as a sure handed fielder who can hit from both sides of the plate. Born in the same city as Fernando Tatis Jr., San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, De La Cruz has strong bat-to-ball skills that allows him to hit the ball to all parts of the field. At just 17 years old, he still has time to grow into his 5-foot-9, 165 pound frame.

Coronil, another switch hitting shortstop, could be an even better fielding option for San Diego. Regarded as one of the best defensive players in the entire class, Coronil has a lanky frame standing at 6-foot-3, 162 pounds. Receiving the smallest signing bonus of the three at $900,000 while De La Cruz and Alvarez both got $1 million, Coronil is another contact hitter who could slot in near the top of the lineup.

Alvarez, who becomes yet another pitching prospect added to a Padres farm system that has 20 in their top 30 prospect list, has a fastball that sits in the mid 90's at just 17 years old. Also able to comfortably throw a slider and changeup, Alvarez is regarded as one of the top arms in the class, but has brought some questions considering his very limited sample size against top tier opponents.