Ethan Salas Explained
Ethan Salas |
Team: | San Diego Padres |
Number: | 90 |
Position: | Catcher |
Birth Date: | 1 June 2006 |
Birth Place: | Kissimmee, Florida, U.S. |
Bats: | Left |
Throws: | Right |
Debutleague: | MLB |
Statleague: | MLB |
Ethan Gabriel Salas (born June 1, 2006) is an American-born Venezuelan professional baseball catcher in the San Diego Padres organization.
Early life
Ethan 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
Salas 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
Salas is fluent in English and Spanish. His brother, José Salas, plays in the Minnesota Twins organization.[12] [13]
Notes and References
- News: Padres Sign Catcher Ethan Salas to Start International Signing Period . June 18, 2024 . FriarWire . San Diego Padres . January 15, 2023.
- News: Lin . Dennis . Padres’ Ethan Salas remains on a uniquely accelerated path a year after signing . June 18, 2024 . . The New York Times Company . January 14, 2024 . subscription.
- Web site: Int'l splash signee Salas a rare 'total-package catcher' . .
- Web site: Sprung . Shlomo . December 15, 2022 . Everything You Need to Know About Ethan Salas . August 21, 2023 . Boardroom . en-US.
- Web site: 'Building something special': Padres sign top international prospect Ethan Salas for $5.6 million . January 15, 2023 .
- Web site: Padres Sign Top International Prospect, Venezuelan Catcher Ethan Salas, 16 . January 21, 2023 .
- Web site: Ethan Salas is Padres' latest top international prospect: 'He's wired different' .
- Web site: Togerson • • . Derek . August 21, 2023 . Unprecedented: Padres Promote 17-Year-Old Prospect Ethan Salas to Double-A, Now Two Steps From the Major Leagues . August 21, 2023 . NBC 7 San Diego . en-US.
- Web site: Sanders . Jeff . August 21, 2023 . Minors: Teenager Ethan Salas moves to Double-A San Antonio amid mass movement in Padres farm system . August 21, 2023 . San Diego Union-Tribune . en-US.
- Web site: Top 100 Baseball Prospects . August 21, 2023 . MLB.com . en.
- Web site: Cooper . J. J. . August 11, 2023 . Precocious Ethan Salas Could Set Top 100 Record . August 21, 2023 . College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects – Baseball America . en-US.
- Web site: 'Who doesn't want to be a Padre right now?' Ethan Salas, 16, eager to start pro climb . January 18, 2023 .
- Web site: Padres Prioritize 'Special' Talent Ethan Salas . February 7, 2023 .