Padres News: Teenage Prospect Ethan Salas Promoted to Double-A as Rapid Rise Continues

The 17-year-old continues to impress.

The Padres made several promotions Sunday, including bringing 17-year-old phenom Ethan Salas up to Double-A.

Salas was batting .257 with a .782 OPS and 9 home runs in 226 at-bats in 2023 between Low- and High-A. Salas only played 9 games at the High-A level. He was the youngest player ever promoted to the Midwest League since it became High-A.

Earlier in the season, Salas was the first player born in 2006 to make his professional debut when he began playing with Single-A Lake Elsinore.

It is a little surprising that the Padres were so quick to promote Salas to Double-A considering his age, but Padres President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller thinks it is ultimately to the young player's benefit.

"It's aggressive, but we think it will serve him well down the road," Preller said.

(Via

The

San Diego Union-Tribune

)

As noted by The Athletic's Dennis Lin, Salas could be on track to become the first player to catch a major-league game before his 19th birthday since 1978.

"Our group feels he's up to the challenge," Preller said. "We think there's a benefit of playing against advanced competition and catching advanced pitchers and this is a group that will have a chance to play together down the stretch and into the Double-A playoffs."

(Via

The San Diego Union-Tribune

)

In addition to Salas, LHP Robby Snelling, 3B Graham Pauley, CF Jakob Marsee and 1B Nathan Martorella were also promoted to San Antonio.

Salas is ranked No. 5 in MLB.com's top-100 prospect rankings.