Ethan Salas' hard-hit double is a sign of what's to come with Padres

Things are really starting to click for Ethan Salas. The San Diego Padres' top prospect coming into the 2025 season, Salas is already settling in nicely at spring training. Through two games entering Tuesday, Salas is 1-for-3 at the plate with a scorching RBI double to give the Padres a 1-0 lead over the Dodgers in the top of the second inning.

His clean left-handed stroke was on full display in his first hit of the 2025 spring, and ideally, this is only the start of Salas' reign as San Diego's next great catcher.

Ethan Salas' hard-hit double is a sign of what's to come with Padres

Salas pummeled a hanging breaking ball off of Giovanny Gallegos, scoring new Padre Mike Brosseau to break the scoreless tie. San Diego fans can expect Salas to be a doubles machine as he ventures through the minor leagues, and hopefully with the Padres sooner rather than later.

In 111 games with High-A Fort Wayne last year, he amassed 27 two-baggers. Salas carried that prowess into the Arizona Fall League, lacing six more doubles, which he soon realized is his true identity as a hitter. He isn't a home run hitter, which is fine, especially for a young catcher. But now that he understands that he can do the most damage as a doubles hitter, Salas may have unlocked his best version.

Salas is still only 18 years old. He has more developing to do in the minors, but his comfort in a spring training game is very telling. Hopefully the Padres are confident enough to call him up to the bigs sooner rather than later, considering they are weakest in their depth chart at catcher. Luis Campusano likely has the job for now, but his youth is really what's keeping him ahead of the competition. Once Salas is MLB ready, the job will probably be his for the taking.