The Padres have plenty to like about what Ethan Salas is doing in Triple-A, and the numbers have only made the conversation louder.
Since San Diego bumped the catcher to Triple-A at the end of July, Salas has been rolling. In 22 games, he’s hit .325 with three home runs, 25 RBIs, 12 walks drawn and an .956 OPS. That kind of production from a top prospect naturally gets people talking about the next step.
And that next step is already a real topic inside the organization. There has been discussion about whether the Padres want to bring Salas to the big leagues before the regular season ends, and manager Craig Stammen has made it clear the team hasn’t shut the door.
“He’s definitely capable of being a major-league player at any point, and that will be a decision for the organization as we go forward,” Stammen said. “But I think right now, him having not played a full season for a while, we got to continue to go on that path. And although we’re really excited about him, you know, continue to stay patient, especially with our catching situation in the big leagues right now.”
There’s a straightforward argument for making the move. Salas is viewed as the catcher of the future, and with the way he’s handled Triple-A pitching, the Padres could choose to give him a look against major-league arms and start getting him reps at the highest level.
If he performs, that could also help San Diego sort out what next season might look like. A strong finish would put Salas in position to potentially enter 2026 as the starting catcher.
There’s also a roster wrinkle to watch. If the Padres want Salas eligible for the playoffs, assuming they qualify, he would need to be on the 40-man roster before Sept.
- If that happens, he could join Luis Campusano and Freddy Fermin in a catching trio.
Campusano has also put together a strong year for San Diego, batting .287 with five home runs, 23 RBIs and an .862 OPS. That gives the Padres more flexibility behind the plate, but Salas could still add another layer of offense for the stretch run.
The other side of the equation is the unusual timing. With a lockout likely coming, putting Salas on the 40-man roster would mean the team wouldn’t be able to contact him at all. That has reportedly been part of the hesitation around moving him up before the postseason.
Even so, the case for giving Salas a big-league look is hard to ignore. He’s producing, he’s already forcing the issue, and if he keeps it up, the Padres may eventually have no choice but to bring him up.
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