Ethan Salas will become the youngest player to catch in a major league postseason game when he starts for the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of their NL Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night. At 20 years old, the left-handed hitter will bat seventh and catch veteran pitcher Nick Pivetta at Petco Park, according to a lineup announced by manager Craig Stammen.
Historic Postseason Debut for San Diego
Salas breaks a long-standing major league catching precedent set in 1991. When the Padres called up their top prospect on Sept. 1, he became the youngest player to catch in a big league game since Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez. Born in June 2006, Salas finished the regular season going 10 for 24 after starting his major league career hitless in his first 15 at-bats. Stammen stated that the organization values both his talent and his character and maturity. “You add talent, you add character, and it adds up to a pretty nice little combo,” Stammen said regarding the decision to deploy Salas in the playoffs. Bob Didier previously held a notable youth milestone when he caught for the Atlanta Braves in the 1969 NL Championship Series at 20 years and 230 days old.
Battery Partnership with Nick Pivetta
Salas will handle pitching duties for Nick Pivetta, a veteran with whom the youngster has already built a working relationship during the regular season and injury rehab assignments. All-Star closer Mason Miller expressed full confidence in the young catcher’s abilities behind the plate and in the batter’s box. “I trust him. I know a lot of pitchers feel really good about throwing to him,” Miller said. Alongside his defensive skills and management of ABS challenges, Salas provides a left-handed bat that fits strategically against Cubs right-handed starting pitcher Kevin Gausman, following left-hander Matthew Boyd’s start in the series opener.
Farm System Pedigree and Rapid Ascension
The Padres signed Salas as an international free agent in January 2023 with a record $5.6 million bonus; he was born in Florida and raised mostly in Venezuela. While general manager AJ Preller traded away nearly all of the top prospects in his farm system in attempts to win a World Series immediately, Salas remained untouched, cementing his status as one of the best catching prospects in recent baseball history. San Diego has regularly trusted young talents on major stages during a franchise-record run of five postseason appearances in seven years, echoing Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill making their playoff debuts at age 21 in 2020 and 2024, respectively. “He’s got enormous amounts of confidence, which is what I love to see out of young kids,” Merrill said.
Did you know? Ethan Salas became the youngest catcher to have a multi-homer game on Sept. 16, capping off a late-season surge that featured several clutch hits before earning his spot on the 26-man postseason roster.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ethan Salas
How old is Ethan Salas?
Ethan Salas was born in June 2006, making him 20 years old during his historic postseason debut.
What position does Ethan Salas play?
Salas is a catcher and bats from the left side of the plate.
When did the Padres sign Ethan Salas?
The Padres signed Salas as an international free agent in January 2023 with a $5.6 million bonus.
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