Ethan Salas received a $5.6 million signing bonus from the Padres on International signing day. A catcher, Salas ranked at the top of this talent pool:

According to scouting reports, Ethan Salas has raw power at the plate and strong defensive skills.

ESPN.com

It may not be long before he reaches the majors. Ivan Rodriguez came up at age 19, so that investment could pay off in a couple of years. Like Rodriguez, Salas’s first season in the minors will be at seasonal age 17.

Note that if an international draft had been in place, the Padres would not have been able to acquire this player. Without competition from other teams, Salas likely would have received a smaller signing bonus. I’m glad international players are resisting the draft, and hope they continue to do so.