Ethan Salas is an adolescent and can stay so for the following 15 months and two weeks. He was the prize of the 2023 worldwide free agent class. The San Diego Padres used their total bonus cash to signal him to a report $5.6 million deal. However Salas won’t be on the Padres Opening Day roster, and the chances are excessive that he won’t spend in the future within the majors this season.
This information could disappoint the Friar Devoted, who’re clamoring to witness his main league debut. With all the eye on Salas, it’s straightforward to overlook the Padres have a stable catching unit for the 2025 season.
Diaz and Maldonado are serviceable catchers
Two contemporary faces are partaking of their first Padres camp on the Peoria Sports activities Advanced this week. Elias Diaz and Martin Maldonado (minor league deal) could not dominate the dialog earlier than the beginning of spring coaching video games however the state of affairs is what it’s. Every participant is a stop-gap choice till Salas is main league prepared.
Keep in mind that Diaz is one season faraway from being named the 2023 All-Star Sport MVP. He’s a .251 lifetime hitter who’s an distinctive defensive catcher. Maldonado is a former Gold Glove winner on the catcher place however struggles to make constant contact with the bat (batted .119 in 48 video games with the Chicago White Sox in 2024). Diaz could be the higher hitter, however every catcher has the defensive abilities to begin on Opening Day.
Is Campusano the odd man out?
You’ll be able to sense that Luis Campusano is the odd man out of this spring’s beginning catcher competitors if he doesn’t have a great spring. He could not have a job on the 2025 Friars if Mike Shildt and co. really feel extra snug going with the extra skilled backstops.
In 2024, Campusano batted .227 with 8 HRs and 40 RBIs in 91 video games.
The 26-year-old misplaced his beginning catching job partially as a result of Shildt was on the lookout for a receiver who could lead on his pitching workers to victory. Campusano struggled with calling a recreation and guiding a pitcher out of hassle. It additionally didn’t assist Kyle Higashioka had his finest offensive season.
Starters grew to become pissed off together with his lackluster approach to dam pitches within the dust. Typically, they headed to the backstop as baserunners superior into scoring place.
If Diaz or Maldonado will get harm, Campusano is your insurance coverage coverage behind the plate. He can re-enter the dialog because the beginning catcher if he takes the time to enhance his defensive abilities.
Every catcher understands the state of affairs, as alternatives of this nature appear to work themselves out. It’s the center of February, so allow them to compete earlier than naming a beginning catcher. Assure Diaz, Maldonado, and Campusano can be able to contribute this summer time.
Salas is the long run
It’s exhausting to think about, however Salas is taking part in his third spring coaching with the Padres. That is excellent news for the Friar Devoted who has not but seen the jewel of the franchise in particular person.
Proper now, Salas’ defensive abilities and dealing with of a pitching workers have outshined his manufacturing on the plate. He batted .206 (.599 OPS) with 4 HRs and 53 RBIs in 111 video games at Fort Wayne. Media reviews advised that Salas confirmed extra endurance on the plate and drove pitches with extra authority because the season progressed.
It’s straightforward to overlook that Salas (18 years previous) is an adolescent competing in opposition to older gamers in Excessive-A ball.
Padres followers have been conditioned to organize for the worst when the specialists predict our staff having proficient gamers. We lived via the 12 months of Joe Carter or Juan Soto’s season and a half in San Diego. Every introduced frustration and a sense of a missed alternative by season’s finish.
This offseason noticed Ha-Seong Kim and Jurickson Profar go away city. You possibly can not assist however hear the Friar Devoted say, ‘Right here we go once more.’
Regardless of the franchise’s evolution, the Padres won’t fall to the underside of the Nationwide League West standings. The staff’s core group has an excessive amount of expertise to not contend for a postseason berth. Though the entrance workplace has work to do, the roster is coming collectively.
Allow us to envision Jackson Merrill, Salas, and Padres No. 2 prospect Leodalis DeVries all in the identical lineup. You can not assist however smile because the Padres future seems vibrant.
