Credit: Brandon Pollard

Once considered a top prospect in all of baseball, Ethan Salas is attempting to regain momentum after a lost 2025 season. 

The San Diego Padres signed Ethan Salas during the 2023 international signing period for a franchise-record $5.6 million.

He was widely considered the best prospect available.

The native of Florida is a left-handed-hitting catcher with superb receiving skills. San Diego secured his services as A.J. Preller and his staff built a great relationship with the young player.

Surprisingly, Salas began his career shortly after signing, as he debuted with the Lake Elsinore Storm in 2023. He recorded an .837 OPS in 48 games and 191 at-bats. At the age of 17, Salas played against competition much older. He was not phased. This was an exciting time for the teenager.

In an even bolder move, the Padres sent Ethan Salas to Fort Wayne at the end of the 2023 season. He struggled in the promotion, going 7-for-35 (.200 average) and striking out 10 times. It was difficult for the young catcher. Despite his struggles, Salas was promoted once again and played in nine games for the San Antonio Missions to end his season. Salas went 5-for-28 (.179 average) in the Texas League. It was amazing that the 17-year-old played at that level, but he was clearly overmatched.

At this point, Ethan Salas was considered a top 10 prospect in all of baseball.

MLB Pipeline ranked him as high as No. 8 among all MLB prospects in early 2024. At the age of 17 (still), he looked to be a future star.

However, after a mediocre 2024 season followed by an injury-marred 2025, Salas dropped out of most top 100 prospect lists and is mentioned in the high 90s in others. His prospect stock has fallen, but if you look closely at his ability and upside, you realize that Ethan Salas still possesses a very high ceiling. The man is still only 19 years old.

This coming 2026 season should be a productive one for the teenager.

He will likely start the season in San Antonio. This will be his third time playing for the team. There is comfort in the Texas League for the young backstop, and now that he is healthy, he should continue his progression toward major league playing time. “I can learn a lot from last year,” Salas said in a recent interview with AJ Cassvell of MLB.com. “I can take care of my body better, and I definitely did a lot of homework on the game-calling side, game-situation stuff.”

In 2025, Salas played 10 games as his body broke down. A stress reaction in his lower back that was first diagnosed in April crippled him. He tried to return late in the season but only managed a handful of games before being shut down for the season. The Padres even tried to roster Salas for the Arizona Fall League, but that was shut down as well.

San Diego wisely took it easy on the young catcher. He’d been rushed his whole career. It was time to give him the opportunity to catch his breath.

During the winter, Salas worked on getting stronger. “Building up my back. Trying to get healthy again. Doing a lot of core work and lower glutes. A lot of stuff in the gym,” Salas tells Marty Caswell last week in the Peoria clubhouse. He is excited to get back into the swing of things. It has been a tough wait for the catcher. “I feel really good. The back is 100 percent. I am excited and happy to be around all the boys again.”

In closing, Ethan Salas wants it to be known that he still has a bright future. His goals for the upcoming season are simple, and this is what he has to prove. “That I am Ethan Salas. That I am the player that I know I am. Ultimately, to go out and prove I am a winner,” Salas explains to Casswell. He is focused on moving forward like a ballplayer should be at this level. Ethan Salas still has a nice future ahead of him. The coming season will be one to prove his value.

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. James has written about the Padres and their prospects for over a decade. He also writes about San Diego State as well as other local sports. James is the Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.

Continue Reading