Kash Mayfield and Boston Bateman, the Padres’ first- and second-round picks in July, finally pulled on a Padres uniform on Thursday and climbed a mound at the Peoria Sports Complex for the first time as pros.
The game time: High noon.
The temperature: About 120 degrees.
After a month-plus of onboarding into the organization, they were happy to do it. They were also happy to beat the heat this weekend in San Diego, relatively speaking, of course.
The two toured Petco Park on Saturday and shook hands with several Padres — from Fernando Tatis Jr. to Yu Darvish to Joe Musgrove and plenty in between — they hope to share a clubhouse with one day.
Welcome to San Diego, Kash and Boston!#PadresOnDeck pic.twitter.com/kLjUmWaV16
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 7, 2024
“This is my first time actually at Petco,” Mayfield said. “This is a really cool experience for me, finally being down here on the field and looking up and seeing all the people out here. It mean it’s a really cool experience.”
Mayfield signed for $3.44 million as the 25th overall pick in the draft, foregoing a scholarship to Oklahoma State.
The 6-foot-8 Bateman, an LSU recruit, signed for $2.5 million as the Padres’ second-round pick. Saturday’s trip to Petco Park was his third visit as he demonstrated his overall athleticism over the winter with a home run while jumping into a hitting group.
“It’s been really awesome to just be around them,” Bateman said of Saturday’s experience, “and learn from them and that helps us on our process as we get going in pro ball.”
Asked what the overarching message has been, Bateman said: “Just be yourself, always. Just being authentic and who you are. There’s no one else like us and no one else like any other people. Just be yourself every day.”
Saturday’s scoreboard
TRIPLE-A EL PASO (54-83)
Reno 6, Chihuahuas 0: LHP Omar Cruz (1-2, 3.86 ERA) struck out three and allowed four runs on seven hits and four walks in three innings in the start. El Paso managed only one single each from CF Bryce Johnson (.868 OPS), DH Brett Sullivan (.812 OPS), 3B Eguy Rosario (.910 OPS), LF Tirso Ornelas (.866 OPS) and C Brandon Valenzuela (.475 OPS).
DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (58-71)
Tulsa 5, Missions 4 (11): RHP Ryan Bergert (4.89 ERA) allowed a run in five innings in the start. LHP Daniel Camarena (0-2, 4.50 ERA) allowed the ghost runner to score in the 11th. 1B Robbie Tenerowicz (.753 OPS) went 4-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. RF Robert Pérez Jr. (.686 OPS) drove in two runs on four hits, including a double.
HIGH SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (53-78)
South Bend 5, TinCaps 2: RHP Jose Luis Reyes (2-2, 2.74 ERA) allowed two runs in five innings in the loss. 1B Devin Ortiz (.664 OPS) went 1-for-1 with three walks, a steal and a run scored. DH Ethan Salas (.599 OPS) went 0-for-4 with an RBI.
LOW SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (71-58)
Storm 3, Inland Empire 2: LF Braedon Karpathios (.773 OPS) went 1-for-3 with an RBI. RHP Miguel Mendez (3.86 ERA) allowed a run in four innings in the start.
ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERS
(Through Friday; Minimum 200 plate appearances or 70 innings)
- AVG: .301 – OF Tirso Ornelas (AAA)
- OBP: .423 – OF Bryce Johnson (AAA)
- SLG: .558 – 3B Eguy Rosario (AAA)
- HRs: 20 – Rosario
- RBIs: 78 – Ornelas
- SBs: 28 – SS Ray-Patrick Didder (AA)
- Wins: 11 – RHP Jared Kollar (AA / AAA)
- ERA: 3.08 – RHP Henry Baez (A+ / AA)
- Ks: 115 – LHP Austin Krob (AA)
- WHIP: 1.09 – LHP Omar Cruz (AA / AAA)
- K/BB: 3.90 – Cruz
- Saves: 12 – RHP Manuel Castro (A+)