Padres Prospect Hot Sheet: Ethan Salas Has Torrid Week With Three Homers

[Steve Drumwright]

Checking in on the San Diego Padres prospects who made a mark in the last week:

Ethan Salas, C, Double-A San Antonio

Season stats: 22 games, .307/.402/.573, 12 R, 5 2B, 0 3B, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 12 BB, 21 K, 6 SB, 0 CS

Why he's hot: The first week of the season was not kind to Salas, as he got off to a 2-for-12 start (.125/.176/.188 slash line). But since April 10, he has hit in 14 of 18 games—two were 0-for-1 pinch-hit appearances—to raise his slash line to where it is now. More recently, the 19-year-old, who is Padres Mission's No. 1 prospect, has found his power stroke, having a stretch where he homered in five of the seven games in which he played. All have been pulled homers by the left-handed hitter, who has often been slotted into the leadoff spot.

Salas, who made his pro debut in 2023 as a 16-year-old after being the top international free-agent signing, has eight multi-hit games, three of which came this past week against the Tulsa Drillers. He was 7-for-21 with five runs scored, three homers and five RBIs. His stretch of five homers in seven days included going deep in three straight games, then blasts in back-to-back games. Salas also walked five times last week, all coming in the final three games, including three in Sunday's series finale when he went 0-for-2.

These developments are obviously very positive considering Salas was coming off a serious back injury that sidelined him for all but 10 season-opening games in 2025. Also, while his defense has been considered elite, his offense has had mixed results. After a very good start to his career at Low-A Lake Elsinore, he finished 2023 with a .248/.331/.421 slash line as a 17-year-old and .206/.288/.311 at High-A Fort Wayne in 2024. While many might be clamoring for a promotion, Double-A often provides the better competition due to the wealth of prospects at the level. Perhaps a June promotion would be in line if his offensive production continues.

Sung-Mun Song, 2B, Triple-A El Paso

Season stats: 25 games, .293/.364/.354, 14 R, 3 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 11 BB, 27 K, 1 SB, 0 CS

Why he's hot: While Song doesn't fit the typical prospect profile, he is expected to be a big part of the Padres at some point in the near future. Initially sent to the Chihuahuas on a rehab assignment after re-aggravating an oblique injury in spring training, Song was optioned to Triple-A when that assignment expired. He hasn't pouted at the decision.

Song, who signed as a four-year, $15 million contract this offseason after a career in the Korea Baseball Organization, has been a steady contributor for El Paso. That includes hitting in all five games last week that he played in, with back-to-back two-hit games and capping the week with his first homer since signing with the Padres. He has hit in eight straight games at Triple-A and only once gone consecutive games without a hit. He had a brief call-up to the Padres as the extra player for the Mexico City Series, but only appeared as a pinch-runner in one game.

Song hit a solo homer in the seventh-inning of Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Albuquerque Isotopes. That was just his fourth extra-base hit in 25 games and second since a double April 10. He also only has one stolen base. In his last two seasons in the KBO, he had a combined 45 homers and 46 stolen bases (in 48 attempts). His positional versatility—he can play second, third or shortstop—would be beneficial for the Padres, who have played Fernando Tatis Jr. out of position (albeit successfully) at second base six times this year.

Clay Edmondson, RHP, High-A Fort Wayne

Season stats: 10 games (all in relief), 0-1, 0.75 ERA, 5 saves, 12 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 16 K, 0.75 WHIP, .136 opp. avg.

Why he's hot: The 22-year-old, who was a 14th-round draft choice in 2025 out of North Carolina-Asheville, went 3-for-3 in save opportunities last week against the South Bend Cubs. He made those three appearances, going 3⅓ innings with three hits, no walks and seven strikeouts.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder allowed both of the runs he has allowed this season in his third outing April 7 vs. Lansing, not allowing a run in his last seven appearances. His three walks came in three straight games and hasn't issued a free pass in his last four outings. On Friday against South Bend, he came on in the eighth and struck out all four batters he faced. Edmondson's five saves in as many chances lead the Midwest League.

Edmondson made seven appearances after being drafted last year, six at Lake Elsinore and one at Triple-A El Paso at the end of the season. In 12⅔ innings, he gave up six runs on 11 hits with five walks and 11 strikeouts with a .239 opponent batting average. His brief audition at El Paso shows the Padres are keeping a close on on Edmondson, making him a candidate to be a quick mover.

Jake Cunningham, OF, High-A Fort Wayne

Season stats: 23 games, .325/.391/.636, 17 R, 6 2B, 0 3B, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 7 BB, 22 K, 4 SB, 1 CS

Why he's hot: The 23-year-old, drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the fifth round out of North Carolina-Charlotte and signed this offseason after being released, has hits in nine of his last 10 games, including five of six last week vs. South Bend. That included driving in a career-high five runs Wednesday in a 7-4 TinCaps win. Fort Wayne was in an 0-for-14 funk with the bases loaded when Cunningham delivered a two-run single for the game's first runs. He added a two-run homer the next inning.

Cunningham had two more hits Sunday, his eighth multi-hit game this year, including his team-best sixth homer, a solo shot. After starting the season 0-for-8, Cunningham is hitting .362 with 12 extra-base hits. His six homers are already a career high after hitting eight in 182 games while with the Orioles.

He is part of a talented TinCaps outfield that also has Alex McCoy and Kavares Tears (Padres Mission's No. 16 prospect). He dealt with injuries each of the last two seasons that limited him to 92 and 76 games, respectively, but has unlocked more of his potential since joining the Padres.

Qrey Lott, OF, Low-A Lake Elsinore

Season stats: 8 games, .400/.500/.750, 8 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 4 BB, 3 K, 3 SB, 0 CS

Why he's hot: Anytime you go 5-for-5 with a pair of homers and six RBIs, you can be considered hot. That is the day Lott turned in Sunday as the Lake Elsinore Storm pulled out a 12-10, 10-inning victory over the Ontario Tower Buzzers. It was his first pro game with multiple hits.

The 21-year-old hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning after opening the game with a two-run homer in the second inning. Lott also had an RBI singles in the fourth inning and and seventh inning. He was replaced for the bottom of the ninth as the Storm made defensive changes, otherwise Lott would have come up in the 10th inning with a chance for a third homer. He had 11 total bases in the game.

Lott is making his professional debut this year. He joined the Storm roster when outfielder Kale Fountain went down with a season-ending shoulder injury after he crashed into a wall. Initially drafted by the Orioles in the 15th round in 2023 out of high school, Lott didn't sign. He signed with the Padres last year after playing two years of junior college at Northwest Florida State and going undrafted despite participating in the MLB Draft League.

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