Ethan Salas: A Journey of Ups and Downs in the MLB Pipeline
Ethan Salas, a highly touted prospect from the San Diego Padres, has had a rollercoaster ride in his early professional baseball career. Initially ranked as high as eighth on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospect List, Salas fell off the list by the end of last season. However, thanks to a strong start in 2026, he has made a comeback, climbing to number 52 on the list. His journey so far has been marked by both promise and challenges, raising questions about his future in the game.
Ethan Salas’ First Steps in Pro Ball
At just 16 years old, Salas signed as one of the top international free agents in 2023. As a catcher, he was seen as having significant future upside both behind the plate and at the bat. This potential allowed him to jump directly into full-season ball in 2023, making him one of the youngest players to do so. Salas’ first season in professional baseball saw him play at three different levels within the Padres’ system. His performance was impressive, with a .267 batting average and 22 extra-base hits in 48 games at Single-A. This success earned him a promotion to High-A and then Double-A for nine games at each level.
However, the challenges began to show during these 18 games. Salas hit only .190 with two extra-base hits and 18 strikeouts. This performance was a sign of things to come in his next two seasons, where he faced more difficulties.
Salas Struggles
The Padres took an aggressive approach to Salas’ development. He was sent to full-season ball at just 16 and then promoted prematurely for the last 18 games of the 2023 season. During this stretch, he hit .190 and averaged one strikeout per game. In an effort to help him develop further, Salas was sent back down to High-A Fort Wayne in 2024. The 2024 season brought increased concerns about his future. Salas hit .206 with an OPS under .600. Despite this, there were still signs of hope. He hit nearly 30 doubles, suggesting that more power could develop with physical maturity. His strikeout rate decreased, and his walk rate remained consistent from the previous season. Additionally, he added 10 more steals.
Another bright spot for Salas was his solid performance in the Arizona Fall League. The underlying numbers suggested that he could still have a bright future. However, injuries soon became a factor. In 2025, Salas suffered a stress reaction in his back upon returning to Double-A. This injury limited him to only 11 games in the 2025 season, and persistent back issues often affect a player’s long-term prospects.
Prospect Resurgence
Salas is now taking the next step in his development as a future big leaguer. The Padres sent him back to Double-A for the second straight season. This time around, Salas has dominated. He is hitting over .300, and despite only two home runs, he has already exceeded his career high in just 39 games. His strikeout rate is lower than his career average, and he has already reached one of his season highs in steals.
What the Future Could Hold
There are three possible outcomes for Salas’ future. He could be another teen prospect who flamed out, an average to below-average major leaguer, or a star. These are broad depictions of a potential career, but there have been signs of all three outcomes during his early career. While he is currently performing well in his third trip to Double-A, he struggled for two seasons when moving up to higher levels.
For Padres fans, Salas and Leo De Vries were supposed to be the future. However, the Padres traded De Vries at the 2025 trade deadline, and Salas has struggled. The aggressive development approach by the Padres did not seem to benefit Salas. However, Ethan looks like he could be the better brother of the Salas baseball family tree, as his younger brother is currently in the Miami Marlins system. With a brother in a similar situation, the future could be bountiful for both Venezuelan prospects.
The Future Floor
The Padres are no strangers to top prospect catchers. Austin Hedges was one of the first, and while he had more power as a prospect than Salas, their floors are eerily similar. Salas is a stud behind the plate. Even as a teenager, he was regarded for his defensive prowess. He is advanced when it comes to receiving, blocking, and pitch calling. Salas has also worked on improving his throwing ability and now profiles to have an above-average arm to go with plus-plus defense. Even if the bat never comes along, he has a future as a defense-first backup catcher.
The Ceiling
Salas’ future really hinges on the bat. This season has been what many scouts had hoped for. He is tapping into more power and has shown elite bat-to-ball skills. This, along with a good approach at the plate, could cement his future as the backstop for a long time in San Diego. These advancements were achieved by simplifying his approach at the plate. He is standing up more and is more relaxed at the bat. He also made a major swing adjustment to stay on plane longer to drive the ball instead of hitting lazy fly balls.
Overall, Ethan Salas is still not an imposing figure. He stands at 6’1 and 185 pounds. Obviously, he is a teenager and still has a future to physically develop. If more muscle is added, he could increase his power. However, the idea of simplifying his swing and not lifting the ball as much could lead to more gap-to-gap power. Truly, Salas will likely have a future as a glove-first catcher who will hit for average power and maybe an average bat. He is finally at a level that makes sense for his age and development, and it should be a place where he succeeds. The real test will be when he makes the future jump to Triple-A later this season.
Main Photo Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
