Padres Sign Japanese Pitching Prospect Nogami

The Padres have begun a pivotal offseason focused on rebuilding their pitching staff, re-signing minor-league pitchers Fernando Sanchez and Sadrac Franco and signing 20-year-old Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Nogami to a minor-league deal with a $300,000 bonus. Sanchez and Franco bring upper-minors experience and strikeout ability but are coming off seasons marked by high ERAs, while Nogami is viewed as a developmental prospect with a fastball reported in the mid-90s, a splitter and breaking pitches. San Diego’s rotation needs attention after heavy bullpen use and the potential departure of several free-agent starters; Michael King could opt out, and reliever Adrian Morejon’s future is also uncertain. One proposed high-profile option is Freddy Peralta, whose strong postseason could make him an attractive but costly addition.