The San Diego Padres are one of the hottest teams in baseball, posting an 8-3 record over the last 10 games. It has allowed them to secure a slim one-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the chase for the last National League Wild Card berth.
The roster seems set; everyone understands their roles. But there is still one move to make. It is not so much for the remainder of this season, more for the 2027 campaign.
The Padres need to promote Ethan Salas as one of their September call-ups.
Outstanding minor league season forces call-up conversation
It should
not come as a surprise, as Salas is the organization’s prized minor league possession. He has played in two levels (Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso) this season. You would expect a September promotion is the final step in his development.
After suffering through an injury-plagued 2025 season, Salas has been on fire at the plate. In 72 games with the San Antonio Missions, the 20-year-old batted .286 with seven home runs and 37 RBI. It earned him a promotion to Triple-A, where Salas continued to rake. Currently, he is hitting .315 with three home runs, 35 RBI and a mouth-dropping 1.076 OPS in 15 games.
His play has opened some eyes within the organization. Usually, major league clubs bring up their top prospects when rosters expand, rewarding them for an outstanding minor league season.
In Salas’ case, it would give the youngster a taste of being around big-league players during the stretch run. He can observe and learn from players like Manny Machado on how to prepare for pressure-packed games that could decide a team’s postseason fate.
Granted, the young catcher will not be eligible for the postseason, but summoning him to San Diego will prepare Salas to compete for a starting job next spring.
Fermin and Campusano raising the level of their game
The Friars have a good mix behind the plate. Freddie Fermin and Luis Campusano share the catching duties. Both players have spent time on the injured list this season, but their return to the lineup has provided a much-needed spark to the offense.
Fermin is batting .312, and Campusano is hitting .310 for August. It is the type of offensive production that has allowed the Padres to own an MLB-best 18-7 record since late July. Salas would not replace either catcher in the lineup, but does add depth as a left-handed bat off the bench.
Since the All-Star break, the Friars have been a wonderful story. The club has picked itself off the mat to surge back into contention for a postseason berth. But the job is not done.
If the Padres fail to play October baseball, all was for naught.
Calling up Salas to bolster the September roster is the right move.
