Padres Pitcher Drilled by Line Drive in Cactus League Game vs Dodgers

May 24, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; San Diego Padres hats in the dugout during the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images | Brad Mills-Imagn Images

San Diego Padres pitcher Cole Paplham was struck by a 102.4 mph line drive during Sunday's Cactus League game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres prospect appeared to be hit in the face.

A scary moment here in Glendale in the 8th inning, as Padres RHP prospect Cole Paplham gets hit by a line drive. Appeared to get him in the face.

Paplham walked to the back of a golf cart and was taken off the field.

— Sammy Levitt (@SammyLev) February 23, 2025

Paplham was attended to for several minutes, but was able to walk on his power. Dodgers' Aaron Bracho went to check on Paplham immediately after his line drive hit the right-hander seemingly on the right cheek. Paplham was then carted off the field.

Prayers up for Padres reliever Cole Paplham after he took a nasty hit to the head from a line drive during this Dodgers, Padres Cactus League game 🙏

Just days after Bobby Miller got drilled by a 105.5 MPH ball 😣
pic.twitter.com/NiKflV1CRR

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) February 23, 2025

It was a scary moment at Camelback Ranch, but the matchup was supposed to be an opportunity for the Padres to evaluate a number of their top prospects, including Paplham.

In 2024, Paplham was ranked San Diego's No. 23 prospect. He produced 4.82 ERA, 11 strikeouts, and 1.50 WHIP across 9.1 innings pitched.

In 2023, the right-hander led the Padres' farm system in saves with 11 as a former undrafted free agent.

The hope is that Paplham did not sustain a severe injury and can continue his development in the minors.