Padres’ 2024 first-round pick looks ready for next step after dominant minors run

Back in May, Padres fans weren't sure what was going to happen to Kash Mayfield. Shoulder discomfort for the 20-year-old left-hander left the organization worried, but he wound up only missing a couple of starts before returning to Single-A Lake Elsinore.

Mayfield, San Diego's No. 4 prospect, has really settled into professional ball, which begs the question if he is ready for a promotion before the minor league season comes to a close. Mayfield has been incredible over the last three months, and particularly over his last three starts. Over this short span, he's two runs in 15 innings with 21 strikeouts, including a career-high nine-strikeout performance on August 27.

Padres top pitching prospect Kash Mayfield needs to be promoted before the 2025 season is over

In June, Mayfield boasted a 1.04 ERA in four appearances. He followed that up with a dominant July, donning a 1.56 ERA. This month, Mayfield has a 1.89 ERA, including two scoreless five-inning starts in the last three weeks, whch lowers his season ERA to 2.73 - marking a career low. Opponents are batting just .172 against him in August, too.

Obviously, the Padres do not need to rush Mayfield in his developmental process. However, if he is in line to start the 2026 season with Double-A San Antonio, the club may as well let him get settled in with the team now. There are about two weeks of games left in the Double-A regular season, which would give Mayfield about two starts at that level.

That could be the perfect amount of time for him to get his feet wet, and to start next season in familiar territory. The jump to Double-A can be daunting for some, but Mayfield is proving that he is just too good for Single-A. A leap to High-A wouldn't be much different for him, so San Antonio is the most logical next step.

The Padres may as well let him get comfortable there now.