Kash

Mayfield

Mayfield was San Diego’s first-round pick back in 2024 and isn’t viewed as an upper-echelon pitching prospect at this stage of his development. The 21-year-old lefty is more of a back-end rotation candidate thanks to his ability to throw strikes and command his arsenal. He’s recorded an encouraging 3.54 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 62/22 K/BB ratio across 53 1/3 innings for High-A Fort Wayne this season. He’s more of a long-term developmental project for the Tigers than an instant impact prospect on the verge of breaking into the big leagues.

Mayfield receives a full-slot deal of $3.442 million from the Padres as the 25th pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. The 19-year-old left-hander was universally-regarded as one of the better prep pitching prospects in his class and comes with the prototypical modern-era starter kit of an upper-90’s heater along with a strong changeup and a couple developing breaking balls.

Mayfield, 19, is one of the best prep pitching prospects in this class, and ranks only behind Arkansas star Hagen Smith and fellow high school lefty Cam Caminiti among all southpaws. The 6-foot-4 left-hander still offers projection, and he has a chance for a plus fastball with the ability to already get his heater to 97 mph with some late life. His change is currently his best pitch, but he also mixes in a solid curve with the ability to throw those pitches for strikes at an impressive level for a teenager. Mayfield has solid upside, and a quality floor because of his ability to locate his offerings.