Ethan Salas announced himself in spring training this year, setting up a remarkable run to the big league club. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)
SAN DIEGO — The first time Ethan Salas appeared at Petco Park, he was fresh off signing for the largest bonus since hard limits were introduced to international free agency. Just 44 months later, he is back.
This time, he expects to make the stay permanent.
“I’m super excited to be here and join the team finally,” he said before Friday night’s series opener against the Yankees. “It’s a pretty surreal experience, something you dream of as a kid.”
After making his debut in Cincinnati Wednesday, in the midst of a dreadful road trip for the Padres, Salas will look for his opportunity to contribute as the Padres look to lock up a third-straight playoff spot for the first time in franchise history.
It was an important day not just for him, but for an organization that has much of its future tied to him.
“So many of us who are part of the big league staff, the minor league staff, from player development to the front office, we know Ethan very well,” said manager Craig Stammen. “We’ve been looking forward to this moment when he gets his chance in the major leagues, and he got it the other day in his first start. We’re looking forward to more of those days with him.”
“I’m just observing everything right now, just seeing how everyone goes about their business and trying to acclimate myself as quickly as possible,” Salas told a large group of assembled media.
It’s a remarkable step forward from where Salas was 12 months ago, when he and the club were coming to the joint realization that he wasn’t healthy enough to join the Arizona Fall League.
Ethan Salas has been the center of attention since arriving in the Padres organization. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)
“I was thinking back to the last 12 months, where I was 12 months ago back in Arizona, hurt, trying to get back from the injury. I’m grateful for it all, man.
“I’m just grateful for that adversity that I went through. I didn’t know where I was going to be, but I’m super grateful that I’ve gotten healthy, gotten back on the field, and gotten to be myself again.”
Salas forced his way to the big league club with a stellar showing in San Antonio and El Paso, posting a .296/.374/. 448 line with elite underlying batted-ball data. After managing just 41 plate appearances in 2025, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect bounce-back campaign.
Now, he’ll look to go from being present to becoming a mainstay.
