Padres Top Prospect Reacts to Winning Major Minor League Award This Season

Padres top prospect Ethan Salas had quite the 2023 season. He began the year in Low-A, hitting nine home runs and driving in 35 RBIs in 45 games. Then, he moved up to High-A, where he appeared in nine games, going seven-for-35 with three runs batted in. And then, he was shockingly called up to Double-A, where he appeared in six games and had five hits in 28 at-bats.

While this quick rise through the minors would be incredible for anyone, it was even more impressive for Salas considering he started this season at the young age of 16 years old.

Salas celebrated his 17th birthday during the year, and already finds himself in the Padres' Double-A affiliate.

He won the MiLB's Best Debut award this season, and spoke with MLB Network about the incredible early debut at 16 years old.

"That was an exciting day for me, obviously, making my debut," Salas said. "Just went out there and had a lot of fun."

You can check out the full interview recapping his season, courtesy of the MLB Network: