Padres Farm System Check-In: Ethan Salas Is On A Heater At Double-A San Antonio

These last two weeks have been revealed more about various players in San Diego Padres' system, as many have started to carve out their season-long identity. There are a handful of players who are building on expectations, more than we can fit into Padres Mission's standouts and disappoints. Still, let's check in with the recent movers and how the Padres on rehab assignments are doing.

Padres Rehab Report

RHP Lucas Giolito

While technically not a rehab assignment (Giolito was optioned to the Low-A Lake Elsinore after signing), it is a buildup of his arm to return to the majors. Giolito's first start Saturday looked every bit of a spring training debut. He threw 63 pitches (40 strikes) and allowed just two hits, both doubles, while striking out four and walking three. Giolito's command was definitely shaky, but it was in a low-stakes environment. One thing to worry about was Giolito appeared to injure his right hand when he attempted to snag a line-drive comebacker at head level. It was a glancing blow that didn't seem to bother him that much initially. The manager was already on his way out to the mound to remove Giolito from the game and didn't appear to ask the pitcher about his hand.

RHP Griffin Canning (ruptured left Achilles)

Canning made his third and fourth starts since his 30-day rehab assignment began April 4, all with Triple-A El Paso. The progress feels a little slow, as he threw 67 pitches in 2⅔ innings April 16, then 45 in 1⅔ innings Wednesday. On April 16, Canning allowed one hit but walked four, allowing six runs, only two of which were earned, while striking out six. On Wednesday, the right-hander was lifted after throwing 31 pitches in the second inning, allowing a pair of runs on three hits and two walks with no strikeouts. Canning figures to have at least one if not two more outings before the Padres have to make a decision on his status, whether to recall him from his rehab assignment for further medical evaluation or to activate him to the 26-man roster.

LHP Yuki Matsui (strained left groin)

Matsui has made six appearances over the last two weeks after only three in the first 15 games for El Paso. Four of those six were one-inning outings, with his latest one going two scoreless innings Sunday. He allowed a total of nine hits and three runs, including two homers, with one walk and nine strikeouts. His rehab assignment also began April 4, but his return would seem to be more imminent than Canning's. His two innings Sunday could point to going back-to-back as the last thing to check off before rejoining the Padres.

RHP Jeremiah Estrada (right elbow tendinitis)

Estrada made his first rehab appearance Friday for Low-A Lake Elsinore, pitching a perfect seventh inning, striking out one. He also got a fly out and a popup, throwing 10 of his 14 pitches for strikes. He went on the 15-day injured list April 10, and this appearance was a good sign for a relatively quick return to the Padres, as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks.

Padres Farm System Standouts

IF-OF Pablo Reyes (Triple-A El Paso)

The versatile Reyes has been a significant offensive contributor thus far for the Chihuahuas. Reyes has reached base in all 18 games he has played and leads the team with a .438 on-base percentage. He was given the day off on Sunday, but has a six-game hitting streak during which he is hitting .360 (9-for-25) with two doubles and four RBIs. Reyes has five multi-hit games this season to go along with six steals.

C Ethan Salas (Double-A San Antonio)

Salas also got a well-deserved day off Sunday, but he too has been red-hot of late. Padres Mission's No. 1 prospect not only hit his first two homers of the season in games Friday and Saturday, but he is on an 14-for-37 run with two doubles and eight RBIs with six walks and eight strikeouts. That has raised his early-season average from .125 to .296. Salas has been hitting mainly out of the leadoff spot, scoring seven runs and going 3-for-3 on steal attempts.

OF Alex McCoy (High-A Fort Wayne)

The 6-foot-5, 240-pound McCoy has been the hottest hitter in the Padres' system. Before going 0-for-3 Saturday, McCoy had a 15-game hitting streak in which he put up a slash line of .356/.361/.678 with a 1.039 OPS. He had seven doubles, four homers and nine RBIs during the streak, which was the longest in TinCaps history since a 15-gamer by Fernando Tatis Jr. in 2017. All four of McCoy's homers this season came during his hitting streak, which began after a 1-for-8 start to the season. He had six multi-hit games during the run.

Padres Farm System Disappointments

LHP JP Sears (Triple-A El Paso)

The other player the Padres acquired in the Mason Miller trade, Sears had a rough spring (10 runs in 10⅔ innings) as he made a bid to be part of the Friars' rotation or at least the long man out of the bullpen, thus being optioned to Triple-A. He has followed that with a poor beginning to the regular season. That includes allowing 11 runs over his last two starts, giving up 11 hits (three homers) with six walks and five strikeouts in 9⅓ innings. He gave up seven runs on eight hits and five walks in 3⅓ innings on April 17. Sears' struggles are part of the reason the Padres were concerned about their rotation depth, hence why they went out and got Lucas Giolito. In five starts, Sears has a 7.15 ERA in 22⅔ innings.

LHP Omar Cruz (Double-A San Antonio)

After making his MLB debut with two relief appearances in 2025, Cruz started this season at Triple-A El Paso. All six of his appearances there were in relief and he went just four innings, compiling an 18.00 ERA, giving up eight runs on nine hits (two homers) with six walks and six strikeouts. On Saturday, he was demoted to Double-A San Antonio. He made his Missions debut Sunday, striking out three in two scoreless innings.

LHP Kruz Schoolcraft (Low-A Lake Elsinore)

Let's be clear: This is Schoolcraft's first true professional season after getting a token start at Lake Elsinore following his selection as the 25th overall pick in last summer's draft out of an Oregon high school. So why pick on him here? Facts are facts and Schoolcraft will use his experience in these four starts to make himself better. He pitched a career-high three innings in each of his last two outings, going 57 pitches April 17 and 51 on Friday. Combined, he gave up 11 hits and six runs (four earned) with two walks and three strikes in each of those games. Those starts came after two in which he allowed 10 runs in 1⅓ innings, with six hits and six walks against one strikeout. His season ERA sits at 15.95.

Interested in learning more about the San Diego Padres' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!