Padres Catcher Role Open: Salas, Campusano, Fermin to Compete
San Diego's top prospect Ethan Salas will not be handed the starting job, per GM A.J. Preller, setting up a three-way competition behind the plate.
Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller stated at the team's end-of-season press conference that no catcher is guaranteed a starting role in 2027. Ethan Salas, who debuted this season and slashed .256/.275/.462 in 40 plate appearances, will compete with Luis Campusano and Freddy Fermin. Campusano posted a 127 wRC+ in 248 plate appearances this year, while Fermin ranked among the top defensive catchers by multiple metrics. The competition reflects the Padres' championship ambitions for 2027.
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