Padres Prospect Ethan Salas Likely Headed to Triple-A to Begin 2027 Season

San Diego Padres top prospect Ethan Salas, who made his MLB debut in September 2026 and collected his first career hit on September 14, is projected to begin the 2027 season with Triple-A El Paso, according to a recent analysis of the Padres’ roster and prospect development timeline.

Salas, a 20-year-old catcher signed out of Venezuela at age 16, has long been considered the crown jewel of the Padres’ farm system. After missing most of the 2025 season with a back injury, he rebounded strongly in 2026, posting a .296/.374/.448 slash line with 10 home runs and 21 extra-base hits across 96 games at two minor-league levels. That production earned him a call-up when MLB rosters expanded on September 1.

He made his first big-league hit count: a triple off the right-field wall against the San Francisco Giants on September 14. At 20 years, 11 months, Salas became the youngest player to triple for his first career hit since Manny Machado did so on August 9, 2012.

Key facts

Why Triple-A is the likely starting point

Salas played only 24 games at the Triple-A level in 2026. While his numbers there were impressive — a .326/.410/.539 line with three home runs — the Padres organization typically prefers prospects to log a full season at Triple-A before assuming a regular big-league role. That limited sample size, combined with a crowded major-league catching depth chart, makes a Triple-A assignment the most plausible outcome for 2027.

The Padres currently have two established catchers on the roster. Luis Campusano enjoyed a breakout offensive season in 2026, slashing .275/.374/.450. Freddy Fermin, while struggling at the plate with a .195 batting average, has provided strong defensive value. Both are under team control through at least 2029 (Campusano) and 2030 (Fermin), meaning there is no immediate urgency to rush Salas into a starting role.

Spring training outlook

Salas is expected to receive another invitation to major-league spring training — his fifth consecutive. However, his Cactus League performance has historically been modest; his best spring slash line was .222/.273/.333 in 2024 over eight games. Unless he dramatically outperforms Fermin offensively during camp, a bench role appears unlikely. The Padres are more likely to let Salas open the season in El Paso, where he can continue to develop against upper-level pitching.

Long-term path to the starting job

Even with a strong Triple-A showing, Salas may not become the Padres’ everyday catcher until 2028 at the earliest. Campusano is not eligible for free agency until after the 2029 season, and Fermin’s contract runs through 2030. A trade, injury, or significant offensive regression from either player could accelerate Salas’s timeline, but for now, the organization appears content to develop him patiently.

The Padres have a recent track record of letting top prospects marinate in Triple-A before giving them the reins. Salas, who turned 20 in September, still has time on his side. His 2026 rebound from a back injury that cost him most of 2025 was encouraging, and his bat has shown real growth. The question is not whether he will be the catcher of the future in San Diego, but when that future will arrive.

Source: Yahoo Sports — Where Will the Top Padres Prospect Wind Up in 2027?