The future is now for Salas -- what does that mean for Padres?

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres always envisioned a quick progression to the big leagues for Ethan Salas.

And they were right -- even if they didn’t envision the progression looking like this.

From his signing in 2023 as the sport’s top international prospect, Salas weathered all manner of ups and downs in the years that followed. He was promoted quickly to the upper levels, then struggled and dealt with injuries.

As quickly as he began to plummet in some prospect rankings, Salas reascended them. He turned in an excellent Minor League season, then made an impact on the big league club down the stretch.

“It was a huge year of growth for me,” Salas said in the aftermath of the Padres’ playoff exit. “I played the most baseball I ever have in my life, had the most fun I’ve ever had in my life. Super grateful for this year.”

A look back on Salas’ 2026

In hindsight, it probably should have been clear from the start that Salas was in for a resurgent year. During MLB’s annual Spring Breakout prospects showcase, Salas was the best player on the field, by far.

“The guys in this clubhouse know who I am,” Salas said afterward. “I don’t think any prospect rank or not determines that -- determines how I am as a teammate, as a human, as a baseball player. So I’m just going to go out and keep playing my game every single day, happy like a kid.”

And that’s what he did. Between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso, Salas batted .296/.374/.448. He was viewed by many scouts as the best defensive catcher in the Minor Leagues.

All of which led the Padres to an intriguing decision. They were getting production from their tandem of Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano. But if Salas could help add some depth and a pivotal left-handed bat … was it time for a callup?

When rosters expanded in September, the answer was yes. After a slow start, Salas proved that he belonged. San Diego’s No. 1 prospect homered twice in a game in Colorado, setting records as one of the youngest to do so. He caught three postseason games as well.

“It was awesome,” said Salas, who batted .256 with a .737 OPS in 16 regular-season games. “I’m super thankful, super grateful for every opportunity. Looking back on a year ago where I was to now, it’s definitely been a whirlwind.”

Looking ahead at Salas’ future

The Padres promoted Salas with the idea that he could help them win in that very moment. The valuable experience he gained? A side effect.

“Grateful and happy I got to join something so special as this,” Salas said.

Salas looks like the real deal, the catcher of the future the Padres had long envisioned. But, as Salas himself has already proven, it’s never a straight line with these things.

He became the youngest catcher in the big leagues since Ivan Rodriguez 35 years ago and the youngest to backstop a postseason game. His poise was lauded by his teammates, particularly Nick Pivetta, who worked extensively with Salas during his own rehab stint.

There’s no denying Salas’ bright future. But the history of 20-year-old catchers in the Major Leagues tells us to temper expectations. Catching in the big leagues is hard -- no matter how smooth Salas made the transition seem.

What comes next for the Padres?

In his end-of-season press conference, general manager A.J. Preller would only commit so far as to say that Salas will be in the mix next year.

“I don’t think anybody’s going to be guaranteed anything,” Preller said. “For Ethan, for example, it’s going to be a competition-type situation for him. He showed he can compete at the big league level.”

Both Campusano and Fermin are arbitration-eligible, meaning they’re under contract with the Padres, but due a raise. There’s probably some temptation to deal from what’s suddenly a position of strength -- with Fermin as perhaps the likeliest possibility to move.

But the Padres showed the value of a three-catcher system down the stretch -- and given the diverse skill sets of each, there’s almost certainly playing time to go around. It might even ease the burden on Salas in what could be his first big league season.

“It’s a good position to be in,” Preller said. “Obviously catching is a really hard spot to solve and we have a lot of good players in that spot. We’ve put some resources into it. … You need to have a deep group of catchers. We’ll go into the offseason that way, let [manager] Craig [Stammen] and the group figure out when we get into next year how that sorts out in terms of playing time and all of that. It’s setting up as a healthy competition for everybody.”