The San Diego Padres have promoted their number one prospect, Ethan Salas, to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas. Salas, a 20-year-old catcher, has been impressive in his fourth season since being signed at the age of 16 out of Caracas, Venezuela.

Salas batted .286 in 72 games with the Double-A San Antonio Missions, recording 13 doubles, seven home runs, and 37 RBI. He also posted the seventh highest batting average in the Texas League, leading the Missions with a .361 on-base percentage.

Impressive Performance

Among qualified Texas League catchers, Salas ranked first in batting average, tied for first in hits, and third in runs scored. He played 10 games with San Antonio in 2025 due to injury but started the 2026 season with the Missions and impressed.

From April 9 to May 10, Salas hit safely in 17 of 24 games, batting .341 with five home runs and 17 RBI. He has posted 23 multi-hit games, including five three-hit games. Earlier this season, Salas represented the Missions at the MLB All-Star Futures Game, recording a hit and a walk at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA.

Salas comes from a family enriched in baseball, with his older brother, José, signing with Miami in 2019, and his younger brother, Andrew, signing with the Marlins in 2025. His father, uncle, and grandfather have all played in Minor League Baseball as well.

The Chihuahuas’ 2026 season continues, with their next game scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, in El Paso against the Albuquerque Isotopes.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.