With roughly one month left in the 2026 Minor League season, many prospects were promoted on both July 28 and 29. Among them were two of the top prospects in the Reds’ system, plus, arguably, the top youngster in the Padres’ organization.
Salas to Triple-A
Ethan Salas, potentially the future backstop for the Padres, was promoted to Triple-A El Paso on July 29.
Salas, one of the best pure contact men in Double-A this season, was healthy and productive with San Antonio this season. He slashed .286/.361/.417 with seven home runs and 20 extra-base hits over 72 games, and also stole 14 bases.
It’s hard to forget that Salas is just 20 years of age.
Reds bump up top picks from 2025
Steele Hall and Aaron Watson, the first- and second-round picks, respectively, by the Reds last season, were promoted to Low-A Daytona.
Watson, as we noted in our July 2026 farm report, threw a lot of fastballs in the ACL and put up respectable numbers. As for Hall, he slashed .288/.387/.518 with 10 home runs and 30 extra-base hits amidst the heat of Arizona.
Promotions from July 28
Now, a look at who was promoted on the 28th:
- The Mets promoted Jonathan Santucci, one of the top swing-and-miss pitchers in the Eastern League this season, to Triple-A. Additionally, New York promoted 2026 draft picks Aiden Robbins and Kuhio Aloy to Low-A St. Lucie.
- Braves prospect Tate Southisene received his second promotion of 2026, as he was moved up to Double-A. Replacing him on the High-A Rome roster was Alex Lodise, promoted from Low-A Augusta.
- Dodgers pitcher Zach Root, one of the club’s 2025 first-rounders, was bumped up from High-A to Double-A Tulsa. Additionally, Jaron Elkins was moved up to High-A.
- Tigers first baseman Beau Ankeney was promoted to High-A West Michigan. Ankeney was tied for second in the FSL for home runs (15). Michael Oliveto, a 2025 first-round pick by Detroit, was bumped to Low-A Lakeland.
- Red Sox pitching prospect John Holobetz was promoted to Triple-A Worcester.
- Wehiwa Aloy, the 2025 Golden Spikes winner, was promoted to Double-A Chesapeake.
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