The Padres have recently witnessed a significant shift in their top prospect rankings. According to Baseball America, a trade publication, shortstop Leodalis De Vries has overtaken catcher Ethan Salas as the organization's top minor leaguer. This change comes as no surprise as De Vries had an outstanding first year in pro ball at low Single-A Lake Elsinore, while Salas struggled at the plate in his first full season at high Single-A Fort Wayne.
Prospects: A Snapshot in Time
Both De Vries and Salas are set to feature in the Padres' projected 2028 lineup and have been mainstays in Baseball America's top-100 prospects list. Currently, Salas is ranked No. 17 and De Vries is No. 31, but it is expected that De Vries will leapfrog Salas when the list is updated in 2025.In early November, both De Vries and Salas were selected to the Arizona Fall League's all-star game. De Vries was selected via a fan vote, while Salas earned his spot based on his performance, hitting four home runs and driving in 21 runs during the mini-season.During his time in the AFL, the switch-hitting De Vries had a.583 OPS in 18 games. However, in 75 games with the Storm, he hit.238/.361/.442 with 11 home runs and 38 RBIs. His performance was particularly impressive in the final 40 games before a shoulder strain ended his season in mid-August, as he had a.963 OPS.Salas, on the other hand, hit.206/.288/.311 with four home runs and 53 RBIs in 111 games at Fort Wayne.De Vries and Salas were the Padres' top international signees in 2024 and 2023, respectively.The rest of Baseball America's top-10 Padres prospects includes four 2024 draftees - left-hander Kash Mayfield (3), left-hander Boston Bateman (5), shortstop Cobb Hightower (8) and third baseman Kale Fountain (10) - as well as risers in right-handers Humberto Cruz (4), Braden Nett (6), Victor Lizarraga (7) and Isaiah Lowe (9).For scouting reports on all top-10 prospects, click here. Additionally, click here for a look at the 2028 projected lineup and a summary of the best tools in the organization.
