Ethan Salas, the 20‑year‑old catcher who has been a standout in the Padres’ farm system, was called up to the Triple‑A El Paso Chihuahuas on July 29, marking the latest step in a rapid ascent that began when he signed as an international free agent at 16.
A Family Rooted in Baseball
The Salas lineage reads like a minor‑league roll call; his father, uncle and grandfather all logged extensive time in the lower tiers of professional baseball, while older brother José signed with the Miami Marlins in 2019 and younger brother Andrew followed suit in 2025.
In his first Triple‑A outing, Salas demonstrated the bat that earned him two selections to the MLB All‑Star Futures Game, delivering three hits — including a double and a two‑run triple — and drawing a walk.
Stats and Accolades
Across the Texas League last season he posted a .286 average over 72 games, adding 13 doubles, seven homers and 37 RBIs while maintaining a .361 on‑base percentage, numbers that helped him lead the San Antonio Missions and earn repeated Futures Game honors.
A Promising Future
The Chihuahuas will continue their six‑game series against Albuquerque through early August, a stretch that could further test Salas against top competition. With the Padres’ major‑league roster in flux, the catcher’s performance in El Paso may well influence his path to the big leagues.