Ethan Salas, just 20 years old, is about to make MLB history tonight. He’s stepping onto the field for the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of their NL Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs, set to become the youngest player ever to catch in a major league postseason game. Salas is not just playing, either; he’s in the lineup batting seventh, making him the youngest player to appear in the postseason for San Diego, period. Talk about a debut!
From Prospect to Postseason Starter, Like *That*
The Padres brought up their top prospect on September 1, and the kid immediately started turning heads. He became the youngest player to catch in a big league game since Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez back in 1991. Salas, born in June 2006, had a bit of a bumpy start, going hitless in his first 15 big league at-bats. But then something clicked, and he finished the regular season on a tear, going 10 for 24. We’re talking clutch hits, folks! On September 16, Salas even became the youngest catcher in MLB to smash a multi-homer game. He’s also getting serious props for his defensive skills from the Padres’ staff, not to mention his smarts with ABS challenges. All that was more than enough to lock down a spot on the 26-man postseason roster, and now, he’s getting the starting nod for his playoff debut.
A “Full Package” Who’s Ready for The Moment
Padres manager Craig Stammen didn’t mince words when talking about the decision to roll with Salas in the playoffs. Stammen pointed to Salas’s “very talented player” status, but also his “character and maturity that go with it.” Stammen emphasized that September was huge for getting Salas game experience and letting him prove “he’s capable of handling any and all situations.” Salas will be catching veteran Nick Pivetta, and they’ve already built a solid connection, working together both in the regular season and during Pivetta’s injury rehab. All-Star closer Mason Miller is fully on board, saying they “have a good relationship” and he trusts Salas completely. Miller added that “a lot of pitchers feel really good about throwing to him.” And it’s not just the glove; Miller raves about Salas’s plate approach: “Then you add in the types of at-bats he takes, working counts, willing to go the other way, put it up in the air and over the fence, too. He’s that full package that I think is only going to get better over time.” This isn’t just a feel-good story; this kid’s got the goods.
Momentum, Matchups, and The Road Ahead
Historically, Salas is beating out Bob Didier, who was 20 years and 230 days old when he caught for the Atlanta Braves in the 1969 NL Championship Series. Salas is a left-handed hitter, which is a huge advantage for the Padres in Game 2. Their other catchers, Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano, are righties. This makes Salas a perfect fit to face Kevin Gausman, the Cubs’ right-handed starter. Remember, lefty Matthew Boyd started the opener, and the Padres absolutely crushed him, taking Game 1 with an 8-0 blowout. The Padres are red hot right now, winning 18 of their last 21 games. With Salas making history behind the plate and a huge Game 1 win under their belt, they’re stepping into Game 2 hoping to punch their ticket to Milwaukee for the division series this weekend. This is high stakes, folks, and Salas is right in the middle of it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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