Salas, 20, would be youngest catcher in MLB postseason history
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SAN DIEGO -- Ethan Salas is a 20-year-old who appears destined to catch for the Padres in the postseason. And if you’re wondering just how rare it is for a player that young to be catching games that important …
Well, it’s never happened.
If, or more likely when, Salas goes behind the plate in the National League Wild Card Series against the Cubs this week, he would become the youngest player to appear at catcher in a postseason game in MLB history -- more than 100 days younger than Atlanta’s Bob Didier in the 1969 NLCS.
Salas, the top Padres prospect, was called up when rosters expanded on Sept. 1. He struggled in his first few games. But lately, he’s practically kicked down the door of the playoff roster.
After starting 0-for-15, Salas finished his first month in the big leagues by going 10-for-24 (.417). A couple of weeks ago, he became the youngest catcher to hit two home runs in the same game. His bat plays. Clearly.
Beyond that, Salas has tackled every challenge thrown his way. And the Padres have little reason to believe the postseason would be any different.
“He showed you he can handle it,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said during Monday’s workout day at Petco Park. “The lights weren’t too bright. The third deck wasn’t too big for him. He even got off to a not-great start offensively. He was able to right that ship, handle it. Here lately, he’s been a big part of some of the biggest rallies we’ve had in some of the most important games.”
Stammen wouldn’t go so far as to announce that Salas has officially made the Padres’ postseason roster. He also wouldn’t confirm whether the Padres would carry two catchers or three. Those decisions won’t need to be finalized until Tuesday morning.
But given the way the Padres have been operating for the past two weeks, it would qualify as a major surprise if Salas weren’t part of that group.
“Him finishing out the clinching game in L.A., him finishing out the home-field advantage games -- he felt the pressure of those games,” Stammen said. “He was catching Mason [Miller] at the end of them. That’s good experience that he has going into this playoff atmosphere.”
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The postseason, of course, is a different animal. But the Padres have never been shy about entrusting their young players with big moments. Fernando Tatis Jr. took center stage as a 21-year-old in 2020. Jackson Merrill did the same in ’24. Both shined in their first postseasons.
Still, Salas’ responsibilities are a lot heavier. He’s a catcher, tasked with commanding a pitching staff. There’s a reason no player had caught a big league game at a younger age than Salas since Ivan Rodriguez did so 35 years ago.
“I’m just trying to be as prepared as I can with the pitchers,” Salas said recently. “Just try to stay as dialed as I can behind the plate. Even the days that I’m not playing, I watch as much as possible, get to know these guys on a personal level.”
“It’s a ton of information for him to absorb,” Game 1 starter Michael King said of Salas. “He continues to ask awesome questions. He continues to learn.”
The Padres have also been determined not to overburden Salas. They eased him into playing time in the big leagues. It was sporadic at first, then a bit more regular.
With the Cubs set to throw left-hander Matthew Boyd in Game 1, the Padres seem likely to start Luis Campusano behind the plate. But Salas seems likely to be the pick for Game 2. The Cubs are expected to throw a right-hander, and the lefty-swinging Salas has caught Nick Pivetta plenty. (Pivetta hasn’t been named the Padres’ No. 2 starter, but he’s by far the likeliest candidate.)
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If you’re looking for a blueprint for how the Padres might use Salas -- and the case for carrying three catchers on the roster -- look no further than Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. Salas got the start in one of the most important games of the Padres’ season.
He singled and started a crucial rally in the fifth inning. Two innings later, the Dodgers went to a lefty against Salas, and Stammen pinch-hit for Salas with Austin Hays, a righty hitter who crushes left-handed pitching. Hays singled as well.
From there, the Padres went to Freddy Fermin, the best defensive catcher of the three. And they still had Campusano, the best offensive catcher of the three, available in the event he was needed as a pinch-hitter.
“We feel really good about our three catchers,” Stammen said. “I feel like those three are as strong as any group of three in the big leagues. They all bring different skill sets to the table.”
That last part is key. The Padres have a catcher for every situation. Salas’ lefty bat could also be useful in a pinch-hit spot against a right-handed pitcher. Same goes for Campusano against a lefty. And Fermin is there so that you feel OK burning either of the other two.
If Salas gets the start in Game 2, he would become the youngest player in Padres history to appear in a playoff game. But he’s got a teammate who once did so at a younger age.
In case you haven’t noticed, Salas has been accomplishing quite a few “first player since Manny Machado” moments lately.
“Makes me feel old,” Machado quipped. “Those were all fun times. I wish I was 20 again like he is. But my moment now is to guide him in the best way I can and help him succeed and hopefully succeed for a long time.
“I’m looking forward to the bright future that he has.”