Scouting Report: Ruben Salinas
Overall
Summary
Ethan Salas, 19-year-old catcher prospect for the San Diego Padres, has made a remarkable comeback in 2026 after a lost 2025 season due to a lower back stress reaction. After dropping out of MLB's Top 100 prospects list, Salas has re-entered at No. 99 following an impressive start to the 2026 minor league season. Playing for Double-A San Antonio, Salas is hitting .322/.398/.567 with 5 home runs and 17 RBIs across 26-28 games, posting a .965-.989 OPS. The Padres organization has opted to keep him in the minors for continued development rather than promoting him to fill the catching void created by Luis Campusano's foot injury. Salas, who was previously ranked as high as No. 8 overall prospect, has worked extensively on his physical makeup (gaining 15-20 pounds), mental approach, and swing mechanics during his recovery. Scouts praise his defensive abilities and his progress at the plate.
Strengths
- Strong offensive performance in 2026 (.322 BA, .965 OPS in Double-A)
- Re-entered MLB Top 100 prospects list at No. 99
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