Padres Top Prospects Leodalis De Vries and Ethan Salas are Already Best Friends

Could the Padres have two 17-year-olds in Single-A to start the season?

The San Diego Padres have signed the top international prospects in back-to-back years with Ethan Salas and Leodalis De Vries. 

In an interview with MLB Network, De Vries spoke with Yonder Alonso about how the two prospects have become best friends. 

Alonso interviewed the prospect in Spanish and translated it into English.

“That’s his best friend. That’s his go to. That’s a guy that he played with him already in his first year.”

.@YonderalonsoU chats with Padres' top international prospect Leodalis De Vries about being signed by the same team as some of his favorite players.#MLBTonight | @Padres | @LosPadres pic.twitter.com/Q9TnaogwAy

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 27, 2024

Salas headlined the group of six Padres which Baseball America ranked in its top 100 at No. 8 overall and De Vries checked in at No. 99.

De Vries, 17, signed with the Padres at $4.2 million and will make his professional debut this season.

Salas, also 17, signed for $5.6 million as a 16-year-old prospect before the 2023 season and finished the year in Double-A.

As teenagers away from home, being best friends with each other will give them a solid support system as they navigate the world of professional baseball. 

It wouldn't be surprising if De Vries takes a similar path to Salas and if the Padres are smart, they would keep them together as long as they can. With Salas' 2023 ended early due to an injury, they both could start 2024 in Single-A Fort Wayne.