Padres' future on display as Salas, De Vries get spring starts

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Ethan Salas and Leodalis De Vries were together in a San Diego Padres starting lineup for the very first time on Sunday. It won’t be the last.

The Padres sent a prospect-laden group to Camelback Ranch to face the rival Dodgers on Sunday afternoon, and their two highly regarded 18-year-olds wasted no time emphasizing their high ceiling. In the first inning, De Vries ranged to his right and made a sliding play (with a strong throw) to rob Mookie Betts of a hit. In the second, Salas mashed an RBI double off the center-field wall.

“They’re on the road, facing a lot of everyday big leaguers,” said Padres manager Mike Shildt after Sunday's 8-3 loss. “And they just fit right in. … I thought it was a lot of positive things. Both of them looked like they belong.”

Neither Salas nor De Vries is a serious candidate for a roster spot this spring -- or, most likely, at all this season. They’re 18, and they play two of the most challenging positions on the field, Salas at catcher and De Vries at short.

Nonetheless, the Padres are planning as though they’ll be an integral part of their future. Both will receive plenty of opportunities this spring, and both have already impressed on back fields and as late-game replacements in the team’s first two Cactus League games.

“I’m happy we’re both out there,” Salas said. “We’re both out there showing what we can do.”

Much has been made recently about the demise of the Padres’ farm system. It’s certainly true that their depth has taken a hit over the past year, following a number of major trades. But Salas and De Vries remained off-limits throughout -- and now stand as beacons of a bright future in San Diego.

De Vries was the No. 18 overall prospect in MLB Pipeline’s preseason rankings, which were unveiled last month. Salas checked in at No. 33. They’re two of the four highest ranked teenagers. In the 2023 international class, Salas was the top-ranked overall prospect. De Vries held that same mantle in '24.

They first played together when they were 14 or 15 years old in De Vries’ native Dominican Republic. Now, their trajectory toward the big leagues is a similar one, and it’s possible they’ll open the season as teammates at a lower level of the Minor Leagues.

“[It’s] exciting,” De Vries said in Spanish. “We talked a lot about this when we were in the Dominican, how we’d feel when we could play together in the big leagues, God willing. And now we’re here doing it.”

They still have a few more levels to climb before they’re doing it in games that count. De Vries spent last year at Single-A Lake Elsinore and Salas at High-A Fort Wayne. Both endured their share of struggles at the plate. That’s perhaps to be expected from two young hitters facing older and more experienced pitchers.

Nonetheless, Sunday seemed to offer a taste of what’s to come.

“Exciting day for the organization,” Shildt said Sunday morning, shortly after the team’s lineup was finalized. “Because Leo is going to go play shortstop and Salas is going to be behind the plate. They’ve earned it. They’ve earned the opportunity. … It’s time for those guys to start to take those next steps on their journey to get here permanently.”

Worth noting

? Right-hander Sean Reynolds was in a walking boot Sunday -- and will remain so through early March as he recovers from a stress reaction in his right foot. Reynolds is still able to play light catch from one knee and is hopeful that when he’s out of his boot, he’ll be able to begin his throwing progression straightaway.

Still, it’s possible Reynolds’ injury could rule him out of contention for a spot in the Padres Opening Day bullpen. Said Shildt: “It’s a long season; he’ll be back before we know it.”

? Fellow righty reliever Bryan Hoeing expects to begin playing catch this week, potentially as soon as Monday. He has dealt with right shoulder soreness since the start of camp, but the club is hopeful his progression will line him up to be ready for the start of the season.

? Braden Nett, the team’s No. 20 prospect, was tasked with facing a relatively strong Dodgers lineup at Camelback Ranch. The 22-year-old right-hander worked a hitless first inning, but faltered in the second, allowing two runs on Zyhir Hope’s bases-loaded double.