SAN DIEGO — Thursday afternoon, in 120 degree heat, Kash Mayfield and Boston Bateman, the 18-year-old left-handed pitchers at the top of the Padres’ 2024 draft class, made their first game appearances at the Peoria Sports Complex.
Two days later, the duo got a different sort of exposure, making a visit to Petco Park and meeting with the media.
Boston Bateman delivers in action against the Guardians. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)
“It’s super-exciting and everything I kind of imagined,” said Mayfield. Because the Oklahoma native eschewed the showcase circuit last summer, Saturday was his first time on the big league field.
“This is my first time actually at Petco, so this is a really cool experience for me. Seeing all the people out here.”
Bateman, a native of Camarillo in northwest Los Angeles County, participated in several events at Petco as an amateur, but he was no less energized by the experience.
“I’ve been waiting for this day. It’s my dream,” said the 6-foot-8, 240 pound son of a former professional offensive lineman.
Like the rest of the high school players in the Padres’ draft class, the duo reported to the Peoria Sports Complex in late July, focusing on building a routine for arm care and building up rather than competing in the late-summer “bridge league.”
Kash Mayfield’s clean delivery and velocity made him a first-round pick. (Photo: Jerry Espinoza)
They finally saw competitive action for the first time on Thursday, each throwing an inning. Mayfield faced only three batters, getting a strikeout to begin his professional career before an infield hit and a nine-pitch at-bat that ended in a walk. He was done after that as the team rolled his inning.
Bateman followed and issued a leadoff walk before getting some help with a caught stealing to complete his inning.
The experience, rather than the results, were what mattered for both.
“It’s definitely a slow process, but it’s for our health and the long run,” said Bateman. “I’ve enjoyed every single part of it, waking up every single day doing what I love.”
The duo’s visit to San Diego is part of a routine the organization has stuck with for their earliest high school picks for several years.
“I think it’s good practice for those guys to come in,” said manager Mike Schildt. “The organization’s excited and so it’s just great for them to be around this environment and know where they’re headed.”
Mayfield and Bateman return to Arizona on Sunday and will be part of the Padres’ instructional league program that begins on Tuesday. With the Lake Elsinore Storm busy with playoff games this week and they hope next, the complex will remain a little sparse for the early part of the schedule, but that allows for more one-on-one development time.
By the time all of the affiliates finish, about 50 players should be in camp for work that will wrap up on October 5.
