Padres to call up 20-year-old top prospect Ethan Salas
San Diego Union-Tribune • • sports
Key Points:
- The San Diego Padres will promote 20-year-old catcher Ethan Salas to the major leagues on Tuesday, coinciding with the roster expansion to 28 players for September.
- Salas, ranked 23rd among MLB prospects, has been performing well in Triple-A with a .326 batting average and .949 OPS over 24 games after starting the season in Double-A.
- The left-handed hitter is expected to contribute offensively off the bench and potentially in a designated hitter platoon role as the Padres pursue a playoff spot.
- Signed at age 16 in 2023 and regarded as the team's catcher of the future, Salas has been fast-tracked to the majors despite setbacks, including a back injury that limited his 2025 season.
- Upon his call-up, Salas will become the youngest active MLB player and could be the youngest catcher to appear in a major league game since Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez in 1991.
