Padres farm system earns recognition at Single-A, High-A levels to end the 2025 season

The 2025 Minor League Baseball has come to a close at the lower levels. For the Padres, their High-A affiliate, Fort Wayne finished 56-75 in the standings, while their Single-A affiliate, Lake Elsinore went 56-76.

Though their win-loss record is below-average, these teams still received some recognition. MiLB handed out some awards, which includes some of San Diego's top prospects. Out of the Midwest League with Fort Wayne, Miguel Mendez and Garrett Hawkins were named 2025 All-Stars at the end of the season, while Ryan Jackson, Lamar King Jr., and Kash Mayfield earned seasonal All-Star honors with Lake Elsinore in the California League.

Kash Mayfield, other top Padres prospects earn All-Star honors for the 2025 season

Mayfield, the Padres' 2024 first-round draft pick, hit a bump in the road earlier this season with shoulder discomfort, but he came roaring back as one of the bright spots in the Padres' farm.

Mayfield lit up the stat sheet with 88 strikeouts across 60 2/3 innings, which spanned 19 starts. The 20-year-old even caught a second wind towards the end, and cranked a season-high nine strikeouts on August 27 in a five-inning scoreless start. There's plenty to get excited about around Mayfield, and he ended the year on a great note.

Jackson and King Jr., also with Lake Elsinore, were named league All-Stars. Jackson, a 23-year-old middle infielder, was a .259 hitter in 2025 with 91 walks (.389 OBP) and 19 stolen bases. Jackson's average took a dip in September, batting .189. However, his strong production prior to the final month was strong enough to still be named an All-Star.

King Jr., a 21-year-old catcher, particularly took the spotlight after the club's top prospect, another catcher named Ethan Salas, got hurt. In 81 Single-A games, King Jr. clubbed 29 extra-base hits with a .370 OBP before his promotion to High-A in August.

King Jr. joined Mendez and Hawkins, who held the TinCaps' pitching staff down with dominance. Rising through three levels this season, Mendez spent most of his time in Fort Wayne. In 12 starts, he donned 1.32 ERA and a .180 batting average against, striking out 70 batters in 61 1/3 frames. He was promoted to Double-A in August.

Hawkins was also bumped up to Double-A in August, where he had a 1.69 ERA in 16 innings. But before that, he went 8-1 with Fort Wayne, racking up 60 Ks in 44 innings. He rode a 26-game scoreless streak in High-A, which spanned 34 innings before getting promoted.