Padres call up 20-year-old catcher Ethan Salas for playoff push
The San Diego Padres will call up 20-year-old catcher Ethan Salas on Tuesday, adding the organization's top prospect as rosters expand from 26 to 28 players for September. Salas joins the club in Cincinnati before the second game against the Reds, giving San Diego a left-handed bat and third catcher during a playoff push.
Ethan Salas has been one of baseball's most closely watched young catchers since San Diego signed him as a 16-year-old in 2023. Ranked MLB Pipeline's No. 23 overall prospect, he has hit .326 with a .949 OPS in 24 Triple-A games after opening 2026 in Double-A. His promotion caps a rebound season after a back injury limited him to 10 games in 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Salas, 20, becomes the youngest active MLB player and could be the youngest catcher since Ivan Rodriguez in 1991.
- He is one of two Padres added when September rosters expand to 28 players.
- Expect bench at-bats and designated-hitter platoon looks rather than immediate everyday catching duties.
- Triple-A production (.326/.949 OPS) and strong defense drove the timing of the call-up.
- A third catcher frees Luis Campusano for more DH and pinch-hit opportunities.
Why are the Padres calling up Ethan Salas now?
Rosters expand to 28 players for the season's final calendar month, and the Padres are fighting for a playoff spot. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported the promotion ahead of Tuesday's game in Cincinnati.
San Diego needs a left-handed bat on the bench, especially with injuries to Gavin Sheets and Luis Rengifo. Salas offers that profile while giving the club a third catcher behind Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano. That depth lets Campusano DH more often without leaving the roster thin behind the plate.
How has Ethan Salas performed in the minors?
Salas signed for a $5.6 million bonus as the top player in the 2023 international class and was pushed aggressively early. He struggled in 2024, hitting .206 in High-A, and missed most of 2025 with a back injury. Healthy again, he hit .286/.361/.417 across 72 Double-A games before a late-July promotion to Triple-A El Paso.
At Triple-A, Salas batted .326 with more walks than strikeouts over 24 games. Evaluators praise his defensive acumen, and his swing decisions and contact quality have stood out this season. MLB.com's AJ Cassavell noted Salas is again the Padres' top prospect and among the best defensive catchers in the minors.
What role will Salas play with the Padres?
It remains unclear when Salas will catch in the majors. The Padres expect him to get at-bats off the bench and in a platoon at designated hitter while they chase October. Freddy Fermin and Campusano have formed a strong catching tandem since the All-Star break, so Salas may see limited time behind the plate initially.
At 20 years and 92 days on Tuesday, Salas becomes the youngest active major leaguer. Only Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, who caught at 19 in 1991, was younger at the position in recent decades. For more breaking sports and market alerts, follow our Fintech & Crypto Alerts coverage hub.
What does the call-up mean for Salas long term?
Calling up Salas starts his 40-man roster and service-time clocks, though the Padres under A.J. Preller have historically prioritized winning over delaying promotions. MLB Trade Rumors noted the move rewards a marquee rebound after struggles and injury threatened to slow his fast-tracked path.
Salas spent time in big-league camp during three straight spring trainings and was introduced at a rare Petco Park news conference as a teenager. The Padres long viewed his arrival as a matter of when, not if. September reps could shape whether he contends for a larger catching role in 2027.