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The San Diego Padres hand out a huge $5.6 million payday to 16-YEAR-OLD catcher Ethan Salas … with the Venezuelan rated the best international prospect in baseball
The San Diego Padres have awarded 16-year-old catcher Ethan Salas an incredible $5.6 million bonus to sign for their organization on the first day of the international signing period.
Salas, from Caracas, Venezuela, is the consensus best overall prospect in this year’s class. The left-handed hitter is the younger brother of José Salas, one of the top prospects in the Miami Marlins’ system.
The Salas brothers have a long pedigree. His father, José Antonio, played in the Atlanta Braves organization; his uncle, José Gregorio, played in the Toronto Blue Jays system; and his grandfather, José Gregorio, played in the Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals systems.
Ethan Salas signed for the San Diego Padres and will receive a bonus of 5.6 million dollars for it
The 16-year-old has been named the No. 1 overall prospect in the international class of 2023.
According to scouting reports, Salas has raw power at the plate and strong defensive abilities.
Also Sunday, the Washington Nationals signed outfielder Elián Soto, the 17-year-old brother of Padres right fielder Juan Soto. The Nationals traded Juan Soto to the Padres in a big trade on August 2.
The Texas Rangers signed outfielder Pablo Guerrero, the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr. and younger brother of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from the Toronto Blue Jays.