SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres have opened the 2022 International Signing Period with the signings of right-handed pitcher Jarlin Susana, and infielders Yendry Rojas and Rosman Verdugo, President of Baseball Operations & General Manager A.J. Preller and Vice President of Amateur & International Scouting Chris Kemp announced today.
Susana, 17, is considered the top pitching prospect in this year’s class, and was ranked 12th on FanGraphs’ 2022 International Prospect Rankings and 17th on Baseball America’s 2021-22 International Bonus Board. The 6-6, 225-pound right-hander is from Villa Isabela, Dominican Republic, and has a pitch mix that includes a fastball in the 94-97 mph range, a slider than runs 87-90 mph, a changeup with late sink that sits in the 88-90 mph range, and a curveball that clocks into the mid 80s.
The 16-year-old Rojas is regarded as one of the best pure hitters in this year’s international class, equipped with speed and the ability to drive the ball to all fields. The Ciego de Avila, Cuba native is 6-1, 190 pounds, and was ranked 25th on Baseball America’s Top 50 International Bonus Board and 26th on FanGraphs’ 2022 International Prospect Rankings. His older brother, Kendry, signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in October 2020.
Verdugo, 16, is rated as the No. 1 overall prospect from Mexico, and is considered the top hitter in the entire country due to his advanced approach at the plate, contact rate and developing power. A native of Bahía Tortugas, Baja California Sur, the 5-11, 175-pound right-handed hitter is a product of the Diablos Rojos del Mexico academy in Mexico City, where he hit .358 with four home runs and 27 RBI in 28 Mexican Winter League games in 2021. His older brother, Luis, signed with the Chicago Cubs in 2017.
