Not long after the hiring of A.J. Preller in August 2014, the Padres began planning an aggressive yet deliberate approach to the international market. In the short term, their chosen course of action required a measure of patience. More than a year later, their long game could culminate in an immediate boost to San Diego’s farm system.

Under Preller and international scouting director Chris Kemp, the Padres are expected to spend heavily when the 2016-17 international signing period begins July 2. And with a number of rivals scheduled to face financial restrictions, San Diego has been connected to many of the biggest names.

Those include a trio of Cuban prospects: outfielders Lazaro Armenteros and Jorge Ona and left-hander Adrian Morejon. According to sources, the Padres have strong interest in all three, and some industry observers consider them the favorites to sign Ona and Morejon.

Armenteros, 16, is the biggest name on the market, and it’s possible the Padres have scouted him more extensively than any other team. While “Lazarito” drew mixed reviews in an open showcase at the Padres’ academy in the Dominican Republic — some scouts, for instance, feel he carries too much muscle on his 6-foot-2 frame — his five-tool potential has attracted significant attention from as many as nine teams.


Armenteros has been declared a free agent by Major League Baseball and became eligible to sign with a club on Wednesday. While he had been expected to reach a decision by then, sources indicate a verdict may no longer be imminent.

Aside from deliberating on a destination, Armenteros can take either of two paths: sign with a team during the current 2015-16 period, or reach a handshake agreement and wait until July 2 to officially sign a contract.

After recently blowing past their allotted bonus pools, 10 teams — including the Dodgers, Cubs and Red Sox — have incurred significant penalties that will apply to the upcoming 2016-17 period; they will be unable to sign any bonus pool-eligible player for more than $300,000. These clubs may be encouraged to continue spending during the 2015-16 period.

Conversely, a few clubs such as the Padres, Braves and Nationals are waiting until July 2 to break their bonus pools, while their aforementioned rivals will have to watch from the sidelines.


If the Padres don’t land Armenteros, they could easily exceed their 2016-17 bonus pool by signing even one of Ona and Morejon (both prospects are awaiting free agent clearance by MLB).

Ona, 19, projects as a strong-armed corner outfielder who could eventually hit in the middle of a major league lineup. Last April, Baseball America ranked the 6-foot-2 prospect as the sixth-best player then in Cuba.

Like Ona, Morejon, 16, stood out in junior league competition before leaving Cuba. Although he stands 5-foot-11, he has shown a highly advanced feel for pitching and could command a larger signing bonus than Ona.

While the Padres remain active in countries such as Venezuela and the Dominican, sources indicate they have been very aggressive about scouting any notable Cuban talent. Other pool-eligible prospects from that island include Randy Arozarena, Norge Ruiz and Jonatan Machado.