Padres News: Friars Young Prospect Knows He Belongs

San Diego has a teen catching prospect you need to keep an eye on.

When you look at the Padres top prospect list, you'll find the usual suspects at the top.

Both of San Diego's most recent first round picks -- SS Jackson Merrill and pitcher Dylan Lesko -- find their names in the top two.

Both are also on the usual path toward what they hope will end in illustrious MLB careers.

Both were drafted out of high school, both adults when they began their pro careers.

Young, yes, but many their ages had walked down that same path before them.

Then there's Ethan Salas sitting there at No. 3.

He's a versatile catcher for one thing, with a good bat to boot.

He's also 17. And he only turned 17 just about two short weeks ago.

But the Padres had faith in the then-16 year old Salas when they signed the Venezuelan product to a $5.6 million contract last offseason.

Salas is now learning the professional baseball ropes as a member of the Lake Elsinore Storm -- the Friars Low-A affiliate.

Salas is certainly on the fast track, playing against competition that is around four years older than him and largely more experienced at this pro ball thing.

He's learning how to play professional baseball while also learning how to become a full-grown man in a country different than the one he called home.

But he's more than willing to confront the challenge and keep growing, as he told Bryce Miller of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

“This is my life,” said Salas, when asked why he’s where he is so soon. “This is all I do all day. Baseball isn’t only skills. You have to have a good makeup and be a professional. A lot of 16-year-olds are either in the Dominican or rookie ball in Arizona. I think I’m here because I’ve shown that, like, I’m a man. I know how to behave, on the field, off the field. I’m a leader.”

Salas remains in the system, refining his skills and getting ready for his moment under the bright lights that hopefully await him.

But for the new 17 year old, it's not a matter of "hopefully," or "if."

For Salas, it's a matter of when he gets there and what he'll do once he plays under the lights at Petco Park.

And the catcher is aiming high.

“Go out there and win a World Series,” Salas said of the impact he hopes to make. “Climb the system as fast as possible and hopefully be a staple there for a long time. Whenever I’m ready, whether it’s 19, 20, 21, I’d love to be a part of that.” (via Bryce Miller of the San Diego Union-Tribune)

If Salas' production comes to match his already mature demeanor, it'll just be a matter of time until he gets his opportunity to ply his trade in San Diego -- a destination that doesn't thatseem far fetched for the kid honing his craft in Lake Elsinore.