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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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The first World Series was played in 1903 between the winner of the American League and National League. It's been played every year since, with two exceptions.
If San Diego Padres rookie Ethan Salas gets behind the plate in the NL wild-card series against the Chicago Cubs, he'll become the youngest catcher ever in 123 postseasons. He'll beat the current record-holder, Atlanta Braves catcher Bob Didier (1969 NL Championship Series) by more than 100 days.
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Only two players have ever caught in the playoffs before turning 21: Didier and Joe Garagiola in 1946. Salas, 20, is already the youngest catcher in MLB history to have a multi-home run game.
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As the top prospect in the organization, Salas' name has been well-known among Padres fans for a while. He was a Futures Game participant in 2024 and 2026, and an obvious choice to be promoted from Triple-A El Paso when rosters expanded on Sept. 1.
In 24 games with Triple-A El Paso, Salas slashed .326/.410/.539 with 24 RBIs before he was promoted to the big leagues for the first time. After starting 0-for-15, Salas finished his first month in the big leagues by going 10-for-24 (.417).
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The main impediment to Salas' playing time: the two veteran catchers ahead of him on their depth chart. Luis Campusano has been the starter when healthy. He slashed a better-than-average .265/.363/.433 in 71 games this season. Freddy Fermin is a poor hitter (.203/.274/.315) but excels at throwing out attempted base stealers.
Salas' bat alone should earn him at least one trip to the batters box in the best-of-three wild-card round. Defensive innings at catcher might be harder to come by, but the Padres can also deploy Campusano at designated hitter and start either Salas or Fermin without worrying about losing the DH if one catcher gets hurt.
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The Cubs have a few base-stealing threats, so Salas isn't necessarily a shoo-in to start over Fermin. But the rookie has held his own defensively so far and should get a chance to break the record.
Given how few 20-year-olds ever get a chance to catch in the postseason, it's a record that might stand for some time.
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