San Diego Padres Top Prospect Ethan Salas Hits Walk-Off in Double-A Debut
The very same day he officially earned a call-up to Double-A, Ethan Salas proved that he belonged at the next level.
The 17-year-old catcher, who is the No. 1 prospect in the San Diego Padres' farm system, made his debut for the San Antonio Missions on Tuesday night. After going 0-for-3 with a walk in his first four plate appearances, Salas made sure his first Double-A hit count.
Salas broke a 7-7 tie in the bottom of the 10th inning, crushing a walk-off double that one-hopped the wall in right center.
The Padres signed Salas to a $5.6 million deal back in January, burning almost all of their international bonus pool to bring in the Venezuelan catcher. The team invited Salas to spring training, where he got one in-game at-bat and proceeded to ground out.
Salas started the season with Single-A Lake Elsinore, becoming the first player born in 2006 to appear in a minor league game, according to The Athletic. In 48 games, Salas hit .267 with nine home runs, 35 RBI, five stolen bases and an .837 OPS.
After winning California League Player of the Week three times and Player of the Month for July, Salas was promoted to High-A Fort Wayne. Even though he only hit .200 with a .427 OPS across nine games with the TinCaps, he still earned another call-up a few weeks later.
Salas is the No. 5 prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.
MLB.com has given Salas grades of 60 hit, 60 arm, 60 field, 55 power and 45 run.
If he can make it to the big leagues before June 1, 2025, Salas could wind up being the first player to make their MLB debut before their 19th birthday since Brian Milner in 1978. Milner played two career games in the majors, compared to 362 in the minors.
Salas, based on his rapid promotions, high grades, clutch hitting and massive contract, is expected to do much more than that for the Padres down the line.
San Diego may have fallen out of the playoff race this season at 60-67, but at the very least, the team's future behind the plate appears bright.
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