The Padres are expected to sign Cuban right-hander Michel Baez, a source said Monday.

Baez, 20, would be the latest to join a record-breaking international class. According to MLB.com, the two sides have agreed to a $3 million bonus. With six months left in the 2016-17 signing period, the Padres already have spent about $35 million in bonuses. Overage taxes will effectively double their total expense.

Baez could make his stateside debut with one of the Padres’ Single-A affiliates in 2017. At 6-foot-8, the starting pitching prospect throws a mid-90s fastball and has demonstrated a feel for a breaking ball.

In 2014, Baez played for the same 18-and-under national team as recent Padres signees Jorge Ona and Ronald Bolanos. He pitched in Cuba’s top professional league, Serie Nacional, the same year, posting a 5.22 ERA in 16 relief appearances.


As per baseball’s new collective bargaining agreement, the Padres will receive a $5.75 million hard cap for international bonuses during the 2017-18 signing period. Because they blew past their 2016-17 allotment, they will be prohibited from signing any individual prospect for more than $300,000 over the next two periods. Those terms provide further incentive for the Padres to continue spending before the current period closes in June.