One of baseball’s most hyped teenage prospects just got a reality check.
But for the Padres, this move may actually be part of a much bigger plan.
Padres Reassign Top Prospect Ethan Salas in Key Spring Training Roster Move
The San Diego Padres made a pair of roster moves Monday night that quietly reshaped their spring training camp — and one of them involved one of the most talked-about young players in baseball.
The organization officially reassigned elite catching prospect Ethan Salas to minor league camp, signaling that the 19-year-old phenom will continue his development away from the Major League roster for now.
In a separate move, right-handed pitcher Daison Acosta cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A El Paso, freeing up a valuable spot on San Diego’s 40-man roster.
While neither move shocked insiders, both decisions reveal how the Padres are balancing their immediate Opening Day goals with the long-term future of the franchise.
Ethan Salas Sent to Minor League Camp
For most observers, Salas’ reassignment was inevitable.
As spring training rosters gradually shrink ahead of Opening Day, teams must make difficult cuts — even when it involves highly regarded prospects.
Salas has long been viewed as the Padres’ catcher of the future, but his path to the majors remains a work in progress.
The Venezuelan backstop was famously fast-tracked through the minor leagues, reaching Double-A in 2023 when he was just 17 years old — a rare and aggressive move by the organization.
However, the rapid climb has also come with challenges.
After spending much of 2024 at High-A, Salas struggled offensively, posting a .206 batting average with a .599 OPS.
His development was further interrupted in 2025, when a back injury limited him to just 10 games at Double-A, where he hit .188 with a .544 OPS.
Despite those numbers, the Padres remain patient.
After all, Salas is still just 19 years old, an age when most prospects are barely entering full-season minor league baseball.
Still the Catcher of the Future
Inside the Padres organization, there is little concern about Salas’ long-term trajectory.
His defensive instincts, game-calling ability, and leadership behind the plate continue to draw praise from scouts and coaches.
What the team wants now is simple: time and healthy development.
Rather than rushing him toward the big leagues, San Diego will likely allow Salas to begin the season back at Double-A, where he can focus on rebuilding confidence at the plate while refining his overall game.
For a player with his ceiling, patience could pay massive dividends.
Many around the league still believe Salas could eventually become one of the most complete catchers in baseball.
Padres Clear Roster Spot with Acosta Move
The Padres’ second roster decision involved 27-year-old right-hander Daison Acosta.
After being placed on waivers, Acosta went unclaimed, allowing San Diego to outright him to Triple-A El Paso while keeping him in the organization.
The move also opened a spot on the 40-man roster, giving the front office additional flexibility as Opening Day approaches.
Acosta signed a Major League contract with the Padres in December, despite never appearing in an MLB game — a sign that the organization saw intriguing potential in the pitcher.
Originally signed by the New York Mets in 2016, Acosta later joined the Washington Nationals organization after being selected in the minor league phase of the 2023 Rule 5 Draft.
A Tale of Two Levels
Acosta’s 2025 season revealed an interesting split.
At Triple-A, he appeared in 19 games, posting a 4.71 ERA with 24 strikeouts across 21 innings.
However, his performance at Double-A was far more dominant.
Over 30 innings, Acosta recorded a 1.50 ERA with an impressive 46 strikeouts, showcasing the kind of swing-and-miss ability that likely caught the Padres’ attention.
Now with Triple-A El Paso, Acosta will look to refine his game and potentially position himself for a future big-league opportunity.
Padres’ Spring Camp Continues to Shrink
With these moves completed, 58 players remain in the Padres’ Major League spring training camp.
More roster cuts are expected in the coming weeks as the team finalizes its lineup for Opening Day.
For prospects like Ethan Salas, the reassignment is less about disappointment and more about preparation.
The Padres are playing the long game.
And if Salas continues developing as expected, the teenage catcher could eventually become one of the defining players of San Diego’s next era.
For now, the future star returns to the minors — where the next chapter of his journey begins.
Leave a Reply