In addition to Mexican Rosman Verdugo, the Padres signed right-hander Jarlin Susana and Cuban infielder Yendry Rojas.
TIJUANA – The San Diego Padres kicked off the 2022 international signing period by agreeing with right-hander Jarlin Susana and infielders Yendry Rojas and Rosman Verdugo. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager AJ Preller and Vice President of Scouting Chris Kemp announced the new signings for the club on Saturday.
Susana, 17, is considered the top pitcher among eligible prospects and was named the No. 12 prospect by FanGraphs list and No. 17 by Baseball America on its 2021-22 International Bonus Board.
The 6-foot-6, 225-pound right-hander, originally from Villa Isabela, Dominican Republic, has several pitches including a fastball that clocks in at 94-97 miles per hour, a slider at 87- 90 mph, a late moving shift between 88-90 mph and a curve left in the 80’s mph.
The 16-year-old Rojas stands out as the best pure hitter among the eligibles, with good speed and the ability to distribute the ball all over the field. The native of Ciego de Avila, Cuba is 6’1, weighs 190 pounds, and was named the 25th prospect on Baseball America’s “Bonus Board” list and 26th on the FanGraphs prospect list. His older brother Kendry signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in October 2020.
The 16-year-old Verdugo is ranked Mexico’s No. 1 prospect and is arguably the best hitter in the entire country, thanks to his advanced approach when in the batter’s box, his ability to make contact and its power that continues to develop.
A native of Bahía Tortugas, Baja California Sur, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound right-handed hitter is a product of the Diablos Rojos academy where he batted .358 with four homers and 27 RBIs in 28 games in the Mexican Winter League in 2021. His older brother, Luis, signed with the Chicago Cubs in 2017.
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