It's important to mention that Dinelson Lamet, Franchy Cordero and 16-year-old prospect Eguy Rosario all signed for less than $300,000 as international prospects.
Because the Padres spent more than $75 million last year -- including penalties -- signing international prospects, Major League Baseball capped the Padres' international signing budget at $5.75 million this year. Additionally, MLB ruled the Padres could spend no more than $300,000 on any single player.
What will $300,000 buy you on the international prospect market? Well, Lamet, Cordero and Rosario, for starters.
And as Padres director of international scouting Chris Kemp explains it, $300,000 buys you more this year than it did last year.
"We weren't the only team who spent more last year," said Kemp. "Twelve or 13 other teams found themselves in the same boat. That meant there were a group of players getting $300,000 this season that would have received much more last season.
"I do think we got some guys who in a normal year would have gotten more money. Some would have received $500,000 to $600,000. ... There were so many teams under penalty creating a large grouping of players at the $300,000 maximum.
"Another plus, there are a lot of good players in this class. Overall, it's an above-average class."
The Padres signed 13 players at the $300,000 limit and nearly 30 players overall. All will report to the Padres academy in the Dominican Republic except for Australian Jarryd Dale, who will report to the Padres' year-round facility in Peoria, Ariz.
"I like all 13 a lot," said Kemp, who said the Padres still have money to sign more players.
"We signed some young players with tremendous ceiling. The staff worked hard getting to know these kids. It's a very motivated group. We like the combination of motivation and ceiling."
Here are Kemp's thoughts on seven 16-year-olds at the top of the Padres' 2017 class:
• Shortstop Yeison Santana: He is from the same community in the Dominican Republic (Azua) as Cordero. "He has a really young, live body," said Kemp. "He has really slick actions at short. I think he can play the position, and he's offensive minded."
• Shortstop Yerri Landines: He is a 6-foot-3, 170-pound switch-hitter from Venezuela. "He is very athletic," said Kemp. "His body looks like that of a wide receiver. He has that build. He has a plus arm and a short swing. He has the right mechanics. He needs to develop the left-handed bat."
• Left-handed pitcher Manuel Partida: The Padres paid $350,000 for Partida, who played in the Sultanes of Monterrey organization. But because of the international rules regarding Mexico, the full total doesn't count against the Padres' limit. Kemp paralleled the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Partida as "a Jonathan Lester type."
"The best left-hander in Mexico," said Kemp. "It's a true four-pitch mix, and he throws strikes. Fastball, slider, curve and change with the fastball around 87-89 [mph] now. His fastball could settle in at 90-93 by the time he turns 20."
• Right-handed pitcher Frank Lopez: The 6-foot-2, 170-pounder is one of 13 Venezuelans signed by the Padres. "Very loose and athletic," said Kemp. "His fastball is in the 88-92 [mph] range now, and I've seen him touch 93 when he threw at the MLB showcase. He has a very high ceiling. He has the ability to throw the slider. It's a very easy, simple delivery with a loose arm."
• Outfielder Christian Heredia: "Some of the best pure bat speed in the class," said Kemp. "He is 6-foot-3 and 165 pounds with long arms, broad shoulders and a buggy-whip swing. First order of business is to get him on a weight program."
• Infielder Jarryd Dale: Last winter, the 6-foot-2, 170-pound infielder was the youngest player ever in the Australian Baseball League as a member of the Melbourne Aces. He played short for Melbourne, but he can also play second and third. His father, Phil, played college ball in the United States and is a scout for the Braves. "Jarryd is the top prospect in Australia in some time," said Kemp.
• Center fielder Angel Solarte: "He is 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, and he can fly," said Kemp. "He's a beautiful kid to watch run with his gait. He has the loudest tools of the class that include a plus arm, live body, excellent bat speed and plus-plus speed."
Other international players signed by the Padres include:
• Shortstops Luis Paez (Dominican Republic) and Emmanuella Guerra (Venezuela).
• Outfielders Julio De La Cruz (Dominican Republic), Junior Perez (Dominican Republic) and Vlad Echevaria (Dominican Republic).
• Catchers Matias Polanco (Venezuela), Brandon Valenzuela (Mexico), Anderson Arias (Dominican Republic) and Yanger Morales (Venezuela).
• Right-handed pitchers Edgar Martinez (Cuba), Laurbert Arias (Venezuela), Jesus Cisneros (Venezuela), Mauricio Rodriguez (Venezuela), Carlos Guarate (Venezuela), Alan Mundo (Mexico), Alfredo Castaneda (Mexico), Sergio Carrizosa (Mexico), Miguel Rondon (Venezuela), Adrian Leo (Mexico), Yfrain Contreras (Mexico), Eudi Asencio (Dominican Republic), Herberto Sosa (Dominican Republic) and Jeferson Garcia (Venezuela).
• Left-handed pitchers Jesus Gonzalez (Venezuela), Omar Cruz (Mexico), Nick Rios (Venezuela) and Bryan Bautista (Dominican Republic).