At just 16 years old, Ethan Salas made his professional baseball debut on Tuesday, bypassing the usual rookie-ball stage to play for the Lake Elsinore Storm at the Single-A level. The San Diego Padres’ prized catching prospect, who was born in Florida and raised in Venezuela, signed a significant $5.6 million contract with the team during the offseason. Salas’ debut was impressive, as he went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored, contributing to his team’s 3-1 victory over the Visalia Rawhide. His strong performance at the plate, including a double and a single in his first two at-bats, highlighted his potential.
Salas’ debut was especially remarkable given his young age. He won’t turn 17 until June, making him the first player born in 2006 to play professionally. His achievements in his first game were already setting him apart, with a lifetime .667 batting average and a 1.000 slugging percentage, numbers that would top the California League if he had enough at-bats to qualify. Despite his early success, Salas remained grounded and focused on the team’s victory rather than his personal performance, emphasizing his belief that winning is the most important part of the game.
Having played in more competitive environments like Spring Training and his winter ball debut, Salas said he was relaxed during his first pro game. He mentioned that the initial hit helped ease his nerves, and the second one felt natural, reinforcing his confidence and ability. Although he served as the designated hitter in this game, Salas is primarily a catcher, a position he plays with a developing skill set that includes good mechanics and an evolving power game. His maturity and confidence at such a young age were on display as he approached the game with composure and focus.
Salas’ journey to Single-A is a rare one, as he did not spend any time in rookie-ball and is the youngest player in the Padres’ system to debut at this level. In fact, the last player to make a Single-A debut at 16 was Julio Urías of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013. Scouts have lauded Salas as one of the best catching prospects in recent history, with Baseball America ranking him as the top player in his class. Known for his strong strike zone awareness and ability to hit to all fields, Salas is already showing promise as a future major league player.
While his journey is still in its early stages, Salas is seen as a player with significant potential. Despite a setback earlier this year due to shoulder soreness after Cactus League games, Salas appears to be fully recovered and ready for the challenges ahead. His story is one of rare talent and potential, with scouts and experts alike excited to see how he develops as he continues his climb through the Padres’ organization. Salas’ debut serves as an early indicator of a promising future in professional baseball.
