Padres’ 16-year-old prospect makes spring coaching debut: ‘Age is only a quantity’

The San Diego Padres signed 16-year-old worldwide prospect Ethan Salas to a deal in January, and on Saturday, the teenage prodigy made his spring coaching debut towards the Chicago White Sox.

The catcher, who’s ranked because the No. 3 prospect within the Padres’ pipeline based on MLB.com’s rankings, was 0-for-1 in his lone at-bat for San Diego however performed 4 innings within the crew’s 6-5 win. While a ton of focus has gone onto his age, Salas insisted he’s not apprehensive about these speaking about that.

Ethan Salas, #85 of the San Diego Padres, stands within the bullpen earlier than a spring coaching sport towards the Chicago White Sox on March 11, 2023 in Peoria, Arizona. (Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)

“Age is only a quantity,” he stated, by way of MLB.com. “I’ve been ready for this. I feel my preparation is basically good — my routine, every thing I’ve been working for within the fitness center, within the after-hours. I feel it is gone fairly nicely. [Today was] Just one other regular sport for me.”

It is unclear the place Salas will begin the 12 months as soon as baseball season will get underway. Normally, a world prospect would begin within the Dominican Summer League after which work his approach to the Arizona Fall League earlier than hitting Class-A minor league ball in his second full season.

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Ethan Salas, #85 of the San Diego Padres, catches throughout a spring coaching sport towards the Chicago White Sox on March 11, 2023 in Peoria, Arizona. (Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)

However, it has been rumored he may even start the 12 months at Single-A Lake Elsinore of the California League. He will not be set to show 17 till June.

Padres supervisor Bob Melvin seemed to be happy with Salas’ improvement.

“For a 16-year-old child behind the plate, I’ll let you know, he is nicely past his years,” Melvin stated. “You watch the way in which he frames pitches — a pair balls within the dust received by him — however he has his wits about him. … It’s fairly unbelievable to see a 16-year-old with that form of composure.”

Ethan Salas, #85 of the San Diego Padres, sprints to first base throughout a spring coaching sport towards the Chicago White Sox on March 11, 2023 in Peoria, Arizona. This marks the primary sport the for 16 year-old 2023 worldwide draft decide. (Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)

Shortstop Jackson Merrill and right-handed pitcher Dylan Lesko are ranked Nos. 1 and a couple of respectively within the Padres’ farm system, based on MLB.com.