Padres' 16-year-old prospect makes spring training debut: 'Age is just a number'

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The San Diego Padres signed 16-year-old international prospect Ethan Salas to a deal in January, and on Saturday, the teenage prodigy made his spring training debut against the Chicago White Sox.

The catcher, who is ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the Padres’ pipeline according to MLB.com’s ratings, was 0-for-1 in his lone at-bat for San Diego but played four innings in the team’s 6-5 win. While a ton of focus has gone onto his age, Salas insisted he is not worried about those talking about that.

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Ethan Salas, #85 of the San Diego Padres, stands in the bullpen before a spring training game against the Chicago White Sox on March 11, 2023 in Peoria, Arizona. (Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)

"Age is just a number," he said, via MLB.com. "I've been prepared for this. I think my preparation is really good -- my routine, everything I've been working for in the gym, in the after-hours. I think it's gone pretty well. [Today was] Just another normal game for me."

It is unclear where Salas will start the year once baseball season gets underway. Normally, an international prospect would start in the Dominican Summer League and then work his way to the Arizona Fall League before hitting Class-A minor league ball in his second full season.

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Ethan Salas, #85 of the San Diego Padres, catches during a spring training game against the Chicago White Sox on March 11, 2023 in Peoria, Arizona. (Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)

However, it has been rumored he could even begin the