Padres top prospect exits start with concerning injury that could derail 2025 season

Friars fans are no stranger to injuries this season. Littered with health problems on the major league level in 2025, that bug has invaded the farm system, unfortunately. San Diego's 2024 first-round pick, Kash Mayfield, exited Tuesday night's game in Lake Elsinore in the second inning, drawing some major concern for his status for the remainder of 2025.

The left-hander was diagnosed with shoulder discomfort, which is not the news you want to hear from a 20-year-old with little experience in pro ball.

Padres prospect Kash Mayfield injured his shoulder one inning into Tuesday's start

The Friars' minor league system is already one of the worst in baseball, but Mayfield was a rare bright spot, despite his inexperience. He is San Diego's third overall best prospect, and the best among pitchers.

Although he was drafted last season, Mayfield did not pitch until 2025. In six starts with Single-A Lake Elsinore, he sports a 4.87 ERA with 27 strikeouts and nine walks across 20 1/3 innings. The 20-year-old, before Tuesday's game against Fresno, had just one scoreless appearance. It was his pro debut back on April 8 against Modesto, tossing three innings with six strikeouts.

It was tough sledding for him after that, surrendering 11 earned runs in 16 1/3 frames. But before getting pulled on Tuesday, Mayfield struck out the side in the first inning. For him to leave after a dominant start, and perhaps finding his stride, is worrisome.

Now, the Padres decision-makers have to consider if it's worth shelving him for a while. There's a lot of stock in Mayfield, and at such a young age with practically minimum experience in the minor leagues, it might not be worth it to pitch him for quite some time. Let him heal and get stronger during his rehab.

This is not the news Padres fans needed, but there is no need to mess with a top prospect's arm so early in the season. It's for him Mayfield to rest up, and in the mean time, Padres fans can focus on other top prospect arms in Boston Bateman (SIngle-A), Humberto Cruz (rookie ball), and Braden Nett (Double-A).