Ethan Salas Has Emotional Message After Padres Elimination

According to Marty Caswell of Friar Territory, Salas became choked up while discussing how much his teammates meant to him after the elimination. The moment captured the impact of a whirlwind few weeks for the Padres prospect.

Salas made his MLB debut Sept. 2 and finished the regular season with a .256 batting average, two home runs, five RBIs and a .737 OPS in 16 games. He also spent time at Triple-A El Paso, where he hit .326 with a .949 OPS in 24 games before his promotion to San Diego. 

His arrival also made baseball history. Salas became the youngest catcher to appear in an MLB postseason game after the Padres included him on their playoff roster. Before reaching the majors, he had already established himself as San Diego’s top prospect.

Salas also provided an important moment during San Diego’s postseason run. He hit a walk-off single against the Miami Marlins on Sept. 19 that helped the Padres strengthen their position in the National League Wild Card race, before later helping them sweep the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card Series.

The Padres finished 91-71 and second in the NL West before advancing through the Wild Card round. Their season ultimately ended against a Brewers team that won 103 games and advanced to the NL Championship Series.

For Salas, the disappointment comes after an experience few 20-year-old catchers have had. His first postseason ended with the Padres’ elimination, but his rapid rise from the minor leagues to the middle of a playoff race gave San Diego another young player to build around.