Padres Agree To Sign Cuban Pitcher Osvaldo Hernandez

The Padres have an agreement to sign 18-year-old Cuban lefthander Osvaldo Hernandez for $2.5 million, according to multiple sources. His contract is subject to the 2016-17 international bonus pools, which the Padres blew past when the signing period opened last year on July 2.

At 6 feet, 175 pounds, Hernandez has shown advanced feel for his age for a wide repertoire of pitches, starting with a fastball that’s ranged from 89-94 mph since he has been showcased in the Dominican Republic. He has shown the ability to manipulate multiple breaking pitches. He throws a hard 76-79 mph curveball with tight spin and good depth that has a chance to be plus, along with a slider that gives him a second potentially average or better breaking ball. His changeup is another offspeed pitch that’s advanced for his age and could give him another above-average weapon down the road.

In Cuba, Hernandez pitched for Artemisa in the country’s 18U national league in 2016. He posted an ERA of 0.92 in 68.2 innings with 84 strikeouts and 23 walks that year, ranking fifth in the league in ERA and third in strikeouts. In October 2016, Hernandez pitched in the COPABE 18U Pan American Championship in Mexico. At that tournament, he pitched twice against the United States, the first one a start in which he held the U.S. to one run over 5.1 innings with five strikeouts, three walks and just two hits allowed, facing a lineup of projected 2017 first-round picks including Hunter Greene and Royce Lewis. In the gold-medal game against the U.S., Hernandez didn’t start be he threw 4.1 innings of relief, allowing two runs on three hits with one walk and no strikeouts in the 6-1 U.S. victory. At that time, Hernandez’s fastball was more in the mid-to-upper 80s, but he’s added velocity since then in the Dominican Republic.

Between signing bonuses and the overage tax payment due this summer, the Padres have committed nearly $80 million to international amateur signings during the current 2016-17 signing period. The Padres’ other Cuban signings since July 2 include lefthander Adrian Morejon ($11 million), outfielder Jorge Ona ($7 million), righthanders Michel Baez ($3 million) and Ronald Bolanos ($2.25 million) and lefthander Ramon Perez ($400,000).