
Padres Promote Ethan Salas, Youngest MLB Player in 2026
San Diego Padres call up top catching prospect Ethan Salas, making him the youngest player in MLB in 2026 and potentially the youngest catcher since Iván Rodríguez in 1991, after a strong rebound season that saw him reach Triple-A El Paso with a .326/.410/.539 line in 24 games. Widely regarded as the game’s top catching prospect for his defense and contact-heavy bat, Salas adds left-handed balance for a Padres club in a tight playoff race. His exact playing time is uncertain and his promotion carries 40-man roster implications and rookie-status considerations for 2027, with potential future draft-pick incentives if he meets award criteria."













