For talented amateur ballplayers from across the globe, there is no day on the calendar quite like Jan. 15. Signaling the opening of the international signing period, it’s the day in which years of hard work and perseverance make dreams come true.

MLB international signing period officially opened on Wednesday, with several top-rated prospects signing with MLB clubs.

The Padres will sign left-hander and international amateur free agent Carlos Alvarez, according to The Athletic's Will Sammon. That's an intriguing development given that the Padres are considered one of the three finalists (alongside the Dodgers and Blue Jays) in the running for Japanese ace Roki Sasaki.

The San Diego Padres signed two top international prospects, which suggests that the franchise is out of the running for superstar free agent starting pitcher Roki Sasaki.