Ethan Salas Makes MLB Debut as Youngest Catcher Since 1991

Ethan Salas, a 20-year-old catcher for the San Diego Padres, made his Major League Baseball debut on September 2, marking him as the youngest player to catch in the league since Iván Rodríguez in 1991.

Salas, who was ranked as the 11th best prospect in midseason evaluations, had a breakout year after limited play in 2025 due to injury. He performed well in Double A with a batting average of .286 and excelled in Triple-A El Paso with a .326 average. His promotion comes amid the Padres' struggles at the catcher position.

In addition to Salas, other prospects like Walker Jenkins of the Minnesota Twins and Lazaro Montes have also made their MLB debuts recently. Jenkins hit his first home run shortly after his debut, while Montes continues to face challenges with pitch selection despite showcasing significant power potential.