Padres Camp Opens with Eyes on Ethan Salas, Not Just the Stars
Spring is back in the desert, and so are the San Diego Padres. With full-squad workouts underway and the first Cactus League game on the horizon, there’s plenty to be excited about in Peoria. But while stars like Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. are back to doing what they do best-setting the tone at the top of the order-this spring’s spotlight is shifting to someone else entirely.
That someone? Ethan Salas.
The 19-year-old catcher enters camp not just trying to make a name for himself-but to reclaim one.
A Once-Soaring Prospect in Need of a Reset
Not long ago, Salas was the crown jewel of the Padres' farm system. Signed for $5.6 million as a 16-year-old international free agent, he was touted as a future franchise cornerstone behind the plate.
In 2024, he was ranked No. 8 on Baseball America’s top 100 prospects list. Fast forward to 2026, and he’s fallen all the way to No.
- That kind of drop doesn’t happen without reason.
The numbers tell the story. Across three minor league seasons, Salas has hit just .221 with 58 extra-base hits in 800 at-bats.
The power hasn’t shown up, and the strikeouts-22.5% of his plate appearances-are a concern, especially for a player who hasn’t proven he can consistently drive the ball. Last year, his time in Double-A San Antonio was brief and rough: a .188 average in 10 games before a stress reaction in his lower back shut him down for the season.
It was a lost year in more ways than one.
What Keeps Him in the Conversation? Defense.
Despite the offensive struggles, Salas remains in major league camp as a non-roster invitee-and there’s a clear reason why. His defense is still elite.
Scouts continue to rave about his glove and arm, grading him as a 70 defender with a 60 arm on the 20-80 scouting scale. That kind of defensive profile doesn’t just keep you in the mix-it gives you a real shot at carving out a big-league role.
Catching is one of the toughest positions to fill with elite talent, and Salas still projects as one of the best defensive backstops in the minors. That’s why, even with the offensive questions, he remains in the Padres’ long-term plans. He’s not on the doorstep of the Opening Day roster-San Diego has veteran options with proven big-league experience-but he’s still very much in the building.
A Make-or-Break Spring for Salas
This spring isn’t about making the team for Salas. It’s about proving he still belongs in the conversation.
The Padres want to see if he can stay healthy, and more importantly, if he can start to put together better at-bats. There’s no denying the physical tools are there.
But the production has to follow.
And here’s the reality: the clock is ticking. At 19, Salas still has time on his side, but the shine of being a teenage phenom is fading.
Injuries have slowed his development, and the bat hasn’t come around like the Padres hoped. That puts him at a career crossroads.
Another injury or another season of offensive struggles could push him further down the depth chart-or even out of the organization’s long-term plans.
There’s also the trade angle. If the Padres decide to make a move, Salas could be part of a deal.
But with his stock lower than it’s been since he signed, the return might not match the potential. That makes it more likely he stays put, at least for now, and gets the time he needs to find his swing in the minors.
The Path Forward
The Padres don’t need Salas to be ready right now. But they do need to see signs that he’s still on the path to becoming a complete player. That starts with staying on the field, making consistent contact, and showing the kind of growth that made him such a coveted prospect in the first place.
This spring won’t define Ethan Salas’ career. But it could go a long way in determining what direction it takes next.
He’s no longer the can't-miss kid. Now, he’s the talented young catcher with something to prove. And in a camp full of stars, that might just make him the most intriguing story of them all.