Blab Sports
Padres Call Up 20-Year-Old Catcher Ethan Salas as Roster Expands
On September 1, the San Diego Padres added 20‑year‑old catcher Ethan Salas to their active roster as Major League Baseball expanded teams from 26 to 28 players for the final month of the 2026 season.
Salas, the Padres’ top prospect and the 23rd overall prospect in baseball, will be the youngest catcher to appear in a major‑league game since Iván Rodríguez in 1991, according to reports. The move comes as the Padres continue their push for a playoff berth and seek additional left‑handed offense behind the plate.
The 20‑year‑old was signed by the Padres in 2023 as a 16‑year‑old international free agent for a $5.6 million bonus. He has spent the season between Double‑A San Antonio and Triple‑A El Paso, compiling a .296 batting average with a .822 on‑base plus slugging percentage, 19 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, 61 RBIs, 17 stolen bases, a 14.3 % strikeout rate and an 11.6 % walk rate.
According to Baseball America, FanGraphs, ESPN and The Athletic, Salas is regarded as the best catching prospect in the minors and ranks among the top 15 overall talents for the summer. His performance earned him a spot on the Padres’ 40‑man roster and a call‑up as the team’s roster expanded.
The Padres’ catching depth chart includes Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano. With injuries to other catching options and a need for a left‑handed bat, the organization chose Salas as the most appropriate addition.
The call‑up was confirmed by Padres’ public relations staff and was publicly announced by Twitter user AJ Cassavell, who noted that the roster expansion would allow the Padres to promote Salas. The announcement was echoed by Andrew DeCeglie, who highlighted Salas’ ranking as the organization’s top prospect.
If Salas is used in a game, he will become the youngest catcher in MLB history since Rodríguez’s 1991 debut. Rodríguez, a Hall of Fame catcher, was the last player to be that young in the position.
The Padres’ decision aligns with the league’s rule that permits teams to add up to two players to the active roster on September 1. The expansion gives teams flexibility to evaluate prospects and address injuries as the postseason approaches.
The Padres have been in a tight race for a wild‑card spot in the National League West. Their record against division rivals has kept them within striking distance of the playoff cutoff. The addition of Salas provides the club with a fresh offensive option and a potential long‑term solution behind the plate.
Salas’ promotion is also a milestone for the Padres’ international scouting program. The organization has invested heavily in developing international talent, and Salas’ rapid ascent reflects the success of that strategy.
The Padres will face the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 2 at Petco Park. The team’s management has indicated that Salas will be available for the series, though it remains unclear whether he will see playing time.
As the season enters its final stretch, the Padres will monitor Salas’ readiness and the performance of their current catchers. The organization’s front office has not announced any additional roster moves at this time.
In summary, the Padres’ promotion of Ethan Salas is a strategic move that adds depth to the catching position, provides a left‑handed bat, and offers a potential historic debut for the 20‑year‑old. The team’s focus remains on securing a postseason berth while evaluating the future of its roster.
Salas, the Padres’ top prospect and the 23rd overall prospect in baseball, will be the youngest catcher to appear in a major‑league game since Iván Rodríguez in 1991, according to reports. The move comes as the Padres continue their push for a playoff berth and seek additional left‑handed offense behind the plate.
The 20‑year‑old was signed by the Padres in 2023 as a 16‑year‑old international free agent for a $5.6 million bonus. He has spent the season between Double‑A San Antonio and Triple‑A El Paso, compiling a .296 batting average with a .822 on‑base plus slugging percentage, 19 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, 61 RBIs, 17 stolen bases, a 14.3 % strikeout rate and an 11.6 % walk rate.
According to Baseball America, FanGraphs, ESPN and The Athletic, Salas is regarded as the best catching prospect in the minors and ranks among the top 15 overall talents for the summer. His performance earned him a spot on the Padres’ 40‑man roster and a call‑up as the team’s roster expanded.
The Padres’ catching depth chart includes Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano. With injuries to other catching options and a need for a left‑handed bat, the organization chose Salas as the most appropriate addition.
The call‑up was confirmed by Padres’ public relations staff and was publicly announced by Twitter user AJ Cassavell, who noted that the roster expansion would allow the Padres to promote Salas. The announcement was echoed by Andrew DeCeglie, who highlighted Salas’ ranking as the organization’s top prospect.
If Salas is used in a game, he will become the youngest catcher in MLB history since Rodríguez’s 1991 debut. Rodríguez, a Hall of Fame catcher, was the last player to be that young in the position.
The Padres’ decision aligns with the league’s rule that permits teams to add up to two players to the active roster on September 1. The expansion gives teams flexibility to evaluate prospects and address injuries as the postseason approaches.
The Padres have been in a tight race for a wild‑card spot in the National League West. Their record against division rivals has kept them within striking distance of the playoff cutoff. The addition of Salas provides the club with a fresh offensive option and a potential long‑term solution behind the plate.
Salas’ promotion is also a milestone for the Padres’ international scouting program. The organization has invested heavily in developing international talent, and Salas’ rapid ascent reflects the success of that strategy.
The Padres will face the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 2 at Petco Park. The team’s management has indicated that Salas will be available for the series, though it remains unclear whether he will see playing time.
As the season enters its final stretch, the Padres will monitor Salas’ readiness and the performance of their current catchers. The organization’s front office has not announced any additional roster moves at this time.
In summary, the Padres’ promotion of Ethan Salas is a strategic move that adds depth to the catching position, provides a left‑handed bat, and offers a potential historic debut for the 20‑year‑old. The team’s focus remains on securing a postseason berth while evaluating the future of its roster.
