Padres Deploy Familiar Strategy on Day 1 of MLB Draft

With their first two picks of the 2024 MLB Draft, the San Diego Padres drafted two left-handed pitchers out of high school, selecting LHP Kash Mayfield (No. 25 overall) out of Elk City High School in Oklahoma and LHP Boston Bateman out of Adolfo Camarillo High School in California (No. 52 overall).

The selection of Mayfield continued a trend of the Padres drafting a player out of high school with their first pick in the draft. This is the ninth straight year in which the Padres have used their top pick on a high schooler.

Mayfield and Bateman join a list of high school prospects that includes outfielder Dillon Head, right-handed pitcher Dylan Lesko, shortstop Jackson Merrill, outfielder Robert Hassell, shortstop C.J. Abrams, pitchers Ryan Weathers and MacKenzie Gore. The last player they drafted out of college was Stanford pitcher Cal Quantrill in 2016. Merrill has already proven to be a success, making the All-Star Game as a rookie this year.

Mayfield was a two-time Gatorade Oklahoma Baseball Player of the Year, and is coming off a phenomenal high school season. Last season, he gave up just four hits and one earned run the entire season, good for a 0.16 ERA.

Kash Mayfield is our newest San Diego Padre

Lefty out of a high school in Oklahoma

Hitting 97 MPH, showcasing control and a breaking ball here ⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ylp1YPGLdZ
— Padres Nation (@NationPadres) July 15, 2024

The San Diego Padres select Boston Bateman with the 52nd overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft.

➡️ 6'8, 240 Lbs
➡️ Has Hit 94-95 MPH w/ solid action
➡️ ++Spin on the Curveball, near 3000 RPMS
➡️ Very Athletic w/ a fluid delivery

Needs to work on command. pic.twitter.com/XOhnSjp7D2
— Clark Fahrenthold (@CFahrenthold11) July 15, 2024

Both Bateman and Mayfield will soon get their start in the minor leagues, and will be expected to make their debuts at the rookie level. As two young players, they will have plenty of time to work their way up to the majors.