San Diego Padres sign top international prospect in 2023 class

Major League Baseball has seen so many talented international players come up and make a name for themselves, such as Ronald Acuna Jr., Julio Rodriguez, Yordan Alvarez, and so many more. After this past weekend’s signings, the top international prospects are ready to live out their dream and make an impact with a Major League Baseball team. These young men from all around the world, including the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Venezuela, and many more countries, were able to show off their skills to different MLB scouts hoping for a shot to make it to the big leagues.

San Diego Padres make a big international splash with Ethan Salas signing

The San Diego Padres currently have some players who have signed in the international pool, including Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr.. Now, the Padres have added another international signing who is ranked by MLB Pipeline and Baseball America as the top international prospect in 2023, 16-year-old Venezuelan catcher Ethan Salas. The Padres had $5,825,500 in the international signing pool and majority of the money had gone to Salas, recently signing a $5.6 million contract with the Padres.

Salas already has baseball in his blood and family members who have played in the MLB. His grandfather, Jose Gregorio, spent time with the Astros and Royals organization, while his father, Jose Antonio, played with the Braves organization, and his brother, Jose, signed in 2019 with the Miami Marlins and was regarded as a top prospect in their farm system. With all of that history, you know Ethan is ready to go to work and try to solidify himself as the best player in his family.

Salas has had a comparison to a great left-handed hitter and MLB catcher, Joe Mauer. Salas can hit all around the field for contact and power, with great plate discipline. When he’s on the field, Salas shows a lot of promising skills with the way he blocks and receives the baseball, and is able to showcase that strong arm of his at a young age. Scouts have also mentioned the maturity and the great leadership he displays when he’s on the field, as Salas builds a strong chemistry with his pitchers.

If you thought that was impressive, how about Salas being the youngest Venezuelan player (at the age of 16) ever to play in the Venezuelan Winter League? This kid is sharing a clubhouse with veteran players like Rougned Odor and Gold Glovers Ender Inciarte and Salvador Perez on team Aguilas del Zulia.

Ethan Salas will continue to work his craft and make his goal into a reality, and signing with the San Diego Padres is a great start.