​Mar 26, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Ethan Salas (88) throws to first base during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park. Salas collected his first hit on Sunday, but his major league status for next sea… | Source: Lastwordonsports.com – Matt GravesEthan Salas has spent plenty of time in the San Diego Padres organization. After being signed out of Venezuela as a 16-year-old catcher, he quickly became the Friars’ No. 1 prospect. He fell from grace a bit due to a back injury that kept him out for most of the 2025 campaign. Since then, however, he’s gone on a tear. Between two levels of the Padres’ minor leagues, Salas hit .296/.374/.448 with 156 total bases in 96 games. In that time, Salas notched 21 extra-base hits with 10 homers.Sep 5, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Ethan Salas (8) walks to the mound during the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn ImagesThat production earned Salas a call to the big leagues. Part of that decision was due to the major-league rosters expanding on September 1. But the young catcher did everything to earn that role with the big-league club. He’s yet to break out immediately, getting the occasional start and pinch-hit opportunity. But Salas finally got his first hit on Sunday evening versus the San Francisco Giants. In the fourth inning of the series finale, the backstop tripled off the right-field wall. He’s the youngest player to triple for his first career hit since Manny Machado did so on August 9, 2012.Ethan Salas collects his first Major League hit 👏 pic.twitter.com/OkNBj1nnr7— MLB (@MLB) September 14, 2026Where Will Padres No. 1 Prospect Ethan Salas Be in 2027?Spring Training InvitesSalas is certain to receive an invite to spring training. The 20-year-old catcher has been invited to each of the last four spring trainings. In that time, Salas hasn’t played that well. The best slash line he’s compiled was .222/.273/.333 (eight games) in 2024. The catcher has flashed plenty of potential, but never in Cactus League play. It’s possible that something changes this season, forcing him onto the Opening Day roster, though it seems incredibly unlikely.Crowded Behind the DishThe Padres have two viable catcher options in Luis Campusano and Freddy Fermin. Campusano has been much better at the plate this season. The backstop has had a breakout year at the dish with a .275/.374/.450 slash line. On the other hand, Fermin has struggled quite a bit with a .195 batting average. That said, Fermin’s defense has proven quite valuable behind the plate. With that tandem, San Diego has options ahead of Salas. That makes it difficult for Salas to make it onto the major-league roster as a starter.Time to DevelopBecause of that, Salas seems unlikely to be vying for a starter role in spring training. If he readily clears Fermin offensively, it’s possible he gets selected for a