Inside The Padres

Padres' $3.4 Million Prospect Exits Start With Shoulder Injury

J.P. Hoornstra|
Elk City's Kash Mayfield pitches during a class 4A baseball state tournament game between Tuttle and Elk City in Edmond, Okla., Friday, May 12, 2023.
Elk City's Kash Mayfield pitches during a class 4A baseball state tournament game between Tuttle and Elk City in Edmond, Okla., Friday, May 12, 2023. | BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

In this story:

San Diego Padres

Kash Mayfield was on his way to the first 27-strikeout game in minor league baseball in 73 years Tuesday.

One pitch into the second inning, his day was done.

More news: Former Padres Prospect, Cy Young Winner Joins American League Front Office

Mayfield, the Padres' first-round pick in the 2024 draft, struck out all three batters he faced in the first inning of a Class-A California League game between the Lake Elsinore Storm and the Fresno Grizzlies.

Although he took the mound for the second inning, his left shoulder would not allow him to finish even one plate appearance. After his first pitch to Fresno's Jacob Hinderleider, Mayfield visited with catcher Victor Duarte, who motioned to the Storm dugout.

A moment later, an athletic trainer was on the mound chatting with Mayfield. After a brief discussion, Mayfield was removed from the game. Johan Moreno replaced him on the mound and was the losing pitcher in a 12-3 rout.

More news: Former Padres Infielder Announces Sudden Retirement

Any game-ending injury is a serious one. Fortunately, it appears Mayfield avoided a dire ailment. According to Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Mayfield was diagnosed with left shoulder discomfort.

The abrupt ending spoiled what was shaping into an encouraging start for Mayfield, who brought a 5.12 ERA into the game. The California League is a hitter's paradise, and Mayfield's 27-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio this season and 1.279 WHIP suggest he's acclimating well for a 20-year-old.

More news: Former Padres Pitcher Signs With American League Contender

The Padres drafted Mayfield 25th overall out of Elk City (Okla.) High School — one pick after the Braves selected Cam Caminiti, the cousin of former National League MVP and Padres star Ken Caminiti.

Mayfield was assigned to pitch in the Arizona Complex League after he was drafted, but he did not log an inning in the ACL season. His first month with Lake Elsinore was his first as a professional.

More news: Padres Star Very Happy Yankees Traded Him to San Diego

Although no timetable has been given for Mayfield's return, don't be surprised if the organization treats even a minor injury to one of its top prospects with caution. Mayfield is ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the Padres organization by MLB Pipeline, behind only Top-100 talents Leo De Vries and Ethan Salas.

Mayfield, 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, boasts a plus changeup and outstanding control. He received a $3.4 million signing bonus, the assigned slot value for the No. 25 pick in last year's draft.

More news: Former Padres Infielder to Pause Baseball Career for Military Service

MLB.com projects Mayfield's major league arrival for 2028.

For more Padres news, head over to Padres on SI.

Published
J.P. Hoornstra
J.P. HOORNSTRA

J.P. Hoornstra is an On SI Contributor. A veteran of 20 years of sports coverage for daily newspapers in California, J.P. covered MLB, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Los Angeles Angels (occasionally of Anaheim) from 2012-23 for the Southern California News Group. His first book, The 50 Greatest Dodgers Games of All-Time, published in 2015. In 2016, he won an Associated Press Sports Editors award for breaking news coverage. He once recorded a keyboard solo on the same album as two of the original Doors.

Share on XFollow jphoornstra
Home/San Diego Padres News