- Oct 16, 2026
- 0
- 0
SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
Padres catching prospect Ethan Salas has been named the 2026 Minor League Defensive Player of the Year, an award announced in September.
Salas, who received a September call-up, appeared in 16 games for San Diego. He posted a .256 batting average with 2 home runs and 5 RBI across 40 plate appearances, though his 22.5% strikeout rate indicates a need for improved plate discipline.
Behind the plate, Salas impressed evaluators with a .983 fielding percentage over 15 games. Scouts graded his defense at 70, rating it Gold Glove-caliber, citing quick glove-to-hand transfer and elite arm strength. He recorded no caught stealings in the majors, though he posted a 27% caught-stealing rate in the minors.
The Padres expect Salas to be their 2027 Opening Day catcher. Meanwhile, reliever Jeremiah Estrada has drawn interest from the Yankees and Mets. In postseason action, the Rays defeated the Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 to take a 3-2 ALCS lead. The Brewers continue to weigh rest versus rust heading into their playoff games, with Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune noting Milwaukee could become a recurring postseason opponent for San Diego.
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).