Salas Emerges in Postseason Push
Ethan Salas arrived in the San Diego Padres' big league lineup during the 2026 season, fundamentally altering the composition of the team's catching room. The 20-year-old catcher was aggressively promoted late in the summer as the club pursued a playoff position.
Salas began his major league tenure with an 0-for-15 start but finished the regular season by hitting .400/.423/.720 with two home runs over his final 26 plate appearances. His performance earned him a spot in the postseason, where he became the youngest player to ever catch a postseason game.
During the National League Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs, Salas drove in the team’s first run in Game 2. He was subsequently trusted to hit as high as fifth in an elimination game against the Milwaukee Brewers during the NL Division Series at American Family Field.
Salas credited his teammates for helping him adjust to the major leagues. "All the guys in here … they let me in here and treated me as … just one of the guys," Salas said, noting that this acceptance gave him the confidence to be part of the team.
The Shifting Landscape Behind the Plate
While Salas’s arrival was significant, the lay of the land in the Padres’ catching room has changed drastically in the last six months. The path to the roster was paved by injuries and struggles among the established veterans. Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano were the only catchers on the 40-man roster on opening day.
Fermin served as the initial starter but struggled at the plate and with foul balls off his mask, opening the door for Campusano to take over duties. However, both Fermin and Campusano missed time due to ailments in 2026, allowing Rodolfo Durán to get his first look as organizational depth.
After a September call-up, Salas wrestled away half the team’s postseason starts behind the plate, solidifying his presence despite the prior instability. The Padres will consider various factors when divvying up spots on a 26-man roster for 2027, with Salas and Durán representing controllable assets who won’t strain the Padres’ checkbook as catchers who debuted in 2026.
Contractual Complexities and Front Office Strategy
A looming lockout complicated front office conversations regarding Salas’s status. Because Salas missed most of the 2025 season, he would be barred from minor league play during a work stoppage if placed on the 40-man roster. The Padres believed Salas’ deep family roots in the sport would help him stay ready during such a potential lockout.
Under A.J. Preller, the organization has not been concerned with starting a prospect’s service time clock if they are ready to contribute. However, financial pressures loom large. The Padres owe significant raises to Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Jackson Merrill next year, limiting flexibility elsewhere.
Preller, the Padres’ president of baseball operations, stated that nothing is guaranteed and that Salas’ situation will be a "competition-type situation." A renegotiated collective bargaining agreement could change the playing field for roster decisions. Meanwhile, MLBTradeRumors.com projects Fermin is in line for $2.6 million in salary arbitration in 2027, up from $2.1 million this year, while Campusano could earn $1.7 million in 2027.