Padres’ Ethan Salas, 20, set to become youngest postseason catcher

Dustin Judge
Song Sung Mun signs with Padres. Ethan Salas

Ethan Salas will make postseason history Wednesday night. The 20-year-old catcher is starting for the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of their Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park, becoming the youngest player to catch in an MLB postseason game.

Salas eclipses Bob Didier of the Atlanta Braves, who was 20 years and 230 days old when he caught in the 1969 NL Championship Series. Salas will also be the youngest player to appear in the postseason for San Diego.

The milestone marks the latest breakthrough for a prospect the San Diego Padres signed as an international free agent in January 2023 with a then-record $5.6 million bonus. Called up when rosters expanded Sept. 1, Salas stumbled early—going hitless in his first 15 major league at-bats—before a remarkable surge down the stretch.

The rise of a young star

After that rough start, Ethan Salas finished the regular season going 10 for 24. On Sept. 16, he became the youngest catcher to hit multiple home runs in a single game, according to MLB.com. His bat earned him a spot on the 26-man postseason roster, and his defensive work and ability with advanced baserunning system challenges impressed the Padres’ staff enough to trust him in October.

“He showed you he can handle it,” manager Craig Stammen said. “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.”

Ethan Salas delivered an RBI single during a three-run seventh inning against the Dodgers on Sept. 24, when the Padres clinched their third straight playoff berth with a 4-2 victory.

Why Salas starts Game 2

The Cubs are throwing right-hander Kevin Gausman in Game 2, after left-hander Matthew Boyd started Game 1. Salas, a left-handed hitter, is a natural matchup advantage. He will catch veteran Nick Pivetta, whom he has worked with throughout the regular season.

Fellow Padres catchers Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano are righties, making Salas the optimal choice against right-handed pitchers. Campusano is projected to start Game 1, and the Padres won that opener 8-0 over the Cubs.

A franchise tradition of young talent in October

San Diego has not hesitated to deploy young prospects on the playoff stage. Fernando Tatis Jr. made his playoff debut at 21 in 2020 and shined. Jackson Merrill was 21 for his debut in 2024. Salas’ responsibilities are heavier, though—the catcher must command the pitching staff and absorb vast amounts of information in real time.

Salas has shown he can handle the pressure. Game 1 starter Michael King said Salas “continues to ask awesome questions” and “continues to learn.”

The Padres have won 18 of their past 21 games, entering Game 2 seeking to advance to the division series in Milwaukee this weekend.

Reporting from FOX Sports, CBS Sports, MLB.com and Bleacher Report contributed to this story.

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.