Padres sign Cuban outfielder Jorge Ona
San Diego continues to add impressive international prospects
The Padres have added another top international prospect to their Minor League system.
On Tuesday, Jorge Ona, 19, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound outfielder from Havana, was declared a free agent by Major League Baseball. A day later, Ona, ranked No. 8 on MLB.com's Top 30 International Prospects list, signed with the Padres.
Ona, who left Cuba last July, has been praised for his muscular and projectable body. He has shown the ability to hit for power and continues to develop into a well-rounded overall hitter.
On defense, the teenager has displayed a good arm and the ability to play all three outfield positions. That said, Ona's overall skill set might make him best suited for a corner spot. His track record includes games in Cuba's Junior National Leagues and the COPABE 18U Pan American Championship in 2014.
Including Ona, the Padres have now signed 28 international prospects since the international signing period began on July 2, a list that includes Cuban left-hander Adrian Morejon, ranked No. 2, for $11 million. The club also signed shortstop Luis Almanzar, ranked No. 4, to a $4 million deal; shortstop Gabriel Arias, ranked No. 6, for $1.9 million; outfielder Jeisson Rosario, ranked No. 11, for $1.85 million; shortstop Jordy Barley, ranked No. 17, for $1 million; shortstop Justin Lopez, ranked No. 29, for $1.2 million; and Mexican outfielder Tirso Ornelas, ranked No. 30, for $1.5 million.
The Padres added catcher Alison Quintero for $830,000, along with right-handed pitchers Michel Miliano for $450,000 and Jose Manuel Guzman for $400,000. The club added infielder Tucupita Marcano, who signed for $320,000. San Diego also signed Taiwanese right-hander Wen-Hua Sung for $675,000 on July 3.
The Padres are already facing the most severe penalty for exceeding their pool by 15 percent or more, so they will not be allowed to sign a player for more than $300,000 during the next two signing periods. They must pay a 100 percent tax on the pool overage, a total close to $58 million, in addition to the estimated $32 million spent on prospect bonuses.
San Diego was allotted a bonus pool total of $3,347,600 to spend during international signing period that started July 2.
Jesse Sanchez is a national reporter for MLB.com based in Phoenix. Follow him on Twitter @JesseSanchezMLB and Facebook. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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