Padres Prospect Update: Outfielder nears call-up; Kruz Schoolcraft, Kash Mayfield shine

The 2025 Minor League Baseball season is almost coming to a close. There is one week of regular season action in most leagues, and while those clubs gear up for a potential playoff run, the bigger prospects can expect to get the nod as MLB teams commence September call-ups.

For the San Diego Padres, is this finally the time when outfielder Tirso Ornelas gets called up to the big leagues? Ornelas was passed up by the Friars when Jackson Merrill hit the injured list, but maybe now there is room for him on the roster.

Also around the minors for the Padres, their top pitching prospects had a dominant week. The team's first-round pick in Kruz Schoolcraft made his bridge league debut and did well, while Kash Mayfield continues to prove that he is way too good for Single-A ball.

Padres' Tirso Ornelas needs to be promoted to the major league roster

Ornelas, 25, is proving that he is too good for Triple-A. Registering an OPS in the mid .800s last year and this year, Ornelas has been on cruise control recently. He enters the new week riding a seven-game hitting streak, batting 10-for-30 over this span with two home runs, four walks, and eight runs scored.

In the majors this season, he hardly got a fair shot, batting 1-for-14 with inconsistent playing time. There is probably not much room for him to play right now, but getting promoted is a vote of confidence for a player who has been producing well all season in the minor leagues.

Padres' prospect arms Kruz Schoolcraft, Kash Mayfield have dominant week to close out August

Kruz Schoolcraft, the Padres' first selection in the 2025 MLB Draft, has finally gotten his feet wet in pro ball. It wasn't much, but he tossed in the bridge league. The 6-foot-8 left-hander looks to be ready the next level, as his fastball is reaching near-triple digits.

San Diego's 2024 first-round pick, also a left-handed pitcher, has been on fire recently. Kash Mayfield has seen an increase in usage this past month, logging 19 innings in four starts.

Mayfield has recorded 26 punch-outs over this stretch, allowing only four runs on 11 hits. He's closing out the 2025 campaign in style, and ideally will see himself in Double-A next year.

Padres minor league schedule: September 2-7

Triple-A El Paso (70-61): Six-game road series at Salt Lake (Angels)

Double-A San Antonio (60-65): Six-game home series vs. Corpus Christi (Astros)

High-A Fort Wayne (55-70): Six-game road series at West Michigan (Tigers)

Single-A Lake Elsinore (56-70): Six-game road series at Inland Empire (Angels)