Report: Padres, teenage Cuban prospect agree to $2.5M deal

The rebuilding San Diego Padres have made yet another splash on the international market, reportedly agreeing to a $2.5-million contract with 18-year-old Cuban left-hander Osvaldo Hernandez, according to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com.

Because Hernandez is under 25, his deal will be subject to the international bonus pool rules under the new collective bargaining agreement.

Hernandez was only declared a free agent by Major League Baseball last month, and was not listed among the top 30 international prospects by MLB Pipeline. Still, Sanchez reported in February that the young southpaw was quickly drawing interest from multiple big-league clubs - a list that included the Padres - once he became available.

Hernandez boasts a fastball that can reach 94 mph, to go along along with three other pitches, according to Sanchez.

The Padres have been busy on the international free-agent market during the 2016-17 signing period, and have bolstered their farm system with a number of big-money deals. Earlier this winter, they inked another young Cuban pitcher - 6-foot-8 right-hander Michel Baez - to a reported $3-million deal, and awarded Cuban outfield prospect Jorge Ona with $7-million bonus in July.