Ethan Gabriel Salas (born June 1, 2006) is an American-born Venezuelan professional baseball catcher in the San Diego Padres organization.
| Ethan Salas | |
|---|---|
| San Diego Padres – No. 90 | |
| Catcher | |
| Born: June 1, 2006 Kissimmee, Florida, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Right |
Early life
editEthan Gabriel Salas was born on June 1, 2006, in Kissimmee, Florida. His father, Jose Antonio Salas, played in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) for the Atlanta Braves organization, and his uncle and grandfather also played in MiLB.[1] Salas spent time growing up in Florida, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela.[2]
Professional career
editSalas played for the Águilas del Zulia of the Venezuelan Winter League in 2022/2023.[3]
Considered the top international free agent in the 2023 class and "one of the top catching prospects in recent history,"[4] Salas signed with the San Diego Padres in January for a record $5.6 million bonus.[5][6][7][3]
He was promoted to Class AA at age 17, a nearly unprecedented rise through the team's farm system.[8] A.J. Preller, the Padres president of baseball operations, said that the promotion was "aggressive" but that Salas was "up to the challenge."[9]
As of August 2023, Salas was ranked near the top of several top prospect lists.[10][11]
Personal life
editSalas is fluent in English and Spanish.[2] His brother, José Salas, plays in the Minnesota Twins organization.[12][13]
References
edit- ^ "Padres Sign Catcher Ethan Salas to Start International Signing Period". FriarWire. San Diego Padres. January 15, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ a b Lin, Dennis (January 14, 2024). "Padres' Ethan Salas remains on a uniquely accelerated path a year after signing". The Athletic. The New York Times Company. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ a b "Int'l splash signee Salas a rare 'total-package catcher'". MLB.com.
- ^ Sprung, Shlomo (December 15, 2022). "Everything You Need to Know About Ethan Salas". Boardroom. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
- ^ "'Building something special': Padres sign top international prospect Ethan Salas for $5.6 million". January 15, 2023.
- ^ "Padres Sign Top International Prospect, Venezuelan Catcher Ethan Salas, 16". January 21, 2023.
- ^ "Ethan Salas is Padres' latest top international prospect: 'He's wired different'".
- ^ Togerson • •, Derek (August 21, 2023). "Unprecedented: Padres Promote 17-Year-Old Prospect Ethan Salas to Double-A, Now Two Steps From the Major Leagues". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
- ^ Sanders, Jeff (August 21, 2023). "Minors: Teenager Ethan Salas moves to Double-A San Antonio amid mass movement in Padres farm system". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
- ^ "Top 100 Baseball Prospects". MLB.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
- ^ Cooper, J. J. (August 11, 2023). "Precocious Ethan Salas Could Set Top 100 Record". College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects – Baseball America. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
- ^ "'Who doesn't want to be a Padre right now?' Ethan Salas, 16, eager to start pro climb". January 18, 2023.
- ^ "Padres Prioritize 'Special' Talent Ethan Salas". February 7, 2023.
External links
edit- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference (Minors)