Future Marlins top prospect Andrew Salas begins professional career in Venezuela

The Marlins have a multi-million dollar deal in place with infielder Andrew Salas to headline their 2025 international free agent class, but his professional career is already underway. Salas is spending his age-16 season with Marineros de Carabobo in Liga Mayor de Béisbol Profesional (LMBP), a Venezuelan league unaffiliated with Major League Baseball.

Per Cardenas Sports Media, the talented switch-hitter went 8-for-16 in preseason games while playing shortstop and center field. He appeared in the Marineros' regular season opener on Saturday as a pinch-runner. Then on Wednesday, Salas cracked the starting lineup for the first time. Batting ninth and manning shortstop, he went 1-for-5 with a walk and a stolen base in a 19-10 win. Here's his RBI double:

This is not a developmental league, to be clear. The average age of the Carabobo roster is 27.7 years old. Most of Salas' teammates and opponents are more than a decade older than him! The only other teenager in his clubhouse is catcher David Chirinos, who's the son of the team's manager, Robinson Chirinos.

LMBP consists of eight teams. The league's regular season runs through July 7.

Complete livestreams of all Marineros de Carabobo games are available on the LMBP TV YouTube channel.

Interested in learning more about the Miami Marlins' 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!