Quote from LynchMob on May 13, 2026, 9:46 pm

From last week's "Week in Review" ...

Kash Mayfield was brilliant in his Friday start as he allowed just one hit over five innings, walking one and striking out three. Friday’s start marked the second time this season Mayfield has pitched at least five innings while allowing one hit. For the season he owns a 1.82 ERA in 24.1 innings, though his 3.94 FIP suggests there has been some luck in the results. Notably, the left-hander topped out at 95.7 mph in the outing. The organization will hope he gets back up to that velocity more consistently as he increases his workload significantly this year. Mayfield owns a 35.6% whiff rate and has struk out 27.8% of hitters this season.

Quote from Randy Manese on May 13, 2026, 9:52 pm

He's young, inexperienced and is quite small in stature for a SP (looks smaller than his listed 5:11, 155 lbs), but if you can dream on one pitcher who might beat the odds as he grows stronger and matures, RHP Jesus Castro might be that guy.  He pitched one of his best games today for Lake Elsinore before he ran out of gas, which is likely going to be his problem all year this year.  I can see him breaking out in 2027 after adding good weight and stamina to become a quick mover in the system.  The pitchers we sign out of Mexico typically are more advanced than those from the Dominican or even Venezuela - December 2025 International signee Carlos Medina is another example of such a prospect.

Quote from fenn68 on May 15, 2026, 2:32 am

In a positive for the Padres' amateur scouting ... the updated MLB Top 100 prospects has 6 Padres / former Padres' prospects:

2. DeVries

28. Snelling

52. Salas

62. Susana

81. Ryan

92, Schoolcraft

Quote from Randy Manese on May 16, 2026, 2:09 pm

I predict Mayfield, Wideman, Harvey and possibly Alex McCoy will join the list before the year is out depending upon whether they can continue what they have been showing so far.  Schoolcraft should go off the list unless the list is based solely on potential and not actual performance during the current season.

Quote from fenn68 on May 16, 2026, 3:39 pm

Quote from Randy Manese on May 16, 2026, 2:09 pm

I predict Mayfield, Wideman, Harvey and possibly Alex McCoy will join the list before the year is out depending upon whether they can continue what they have been showing so far.  Schoolcraft should go off the list unless the list is based solely on potential and not actual performance during the current season.

Potential beats performance generally in these rankings. The evaluators are slow to drop anyone they originally had potential and need a lot of convincing to add anyone who they initially did not see potential.

A bit always depends on how many on the current Top 100 "graduate" and when they add the pieces from the 2026 draft but do see Mayfield having a real chance given he was a well touted #1 pick.

If they continue to perform the others have a shot ... especially Wideman since "5 tool potential" seems to be loved in the ranking.

I will throw in a sleeper candidate ... INF Jorge Quintana ... who was big international signing by MILW (traded to SD) and at 19 is in LE with minimal exposure outside the DSL ... started slow but hitting over .300 recently. Even before that he was #5 on the Padres list. He is the kind of talent they love to project potential.

Quote from fenn68 on May 16, 2026, 3:53 pm

I see Lan-Hong Su make his ACL debut today ... 2 innings, 1 hit / 2 walks / 4 strikeouts ... no runs.

Highly touted Taiwanese 19 year old who signed last OCT. Could be and interesting follow.

Quote from Randy Manese on May 22, 2026, 6:05 pm

Mayfield tossed another terrific 5 innings for the TinCaps giving up only 2 hits, 1 walk while striking out 8.  It is that low hit rate/9 IP at <3 that is remarkable - almost a dominant closer type number.  I think he's shown enough to earn a promotion to San Antonio before the end of the month.  This start he needed 78 pitches to get through 5 innings, i.e., 15.6 pitches per inning, which is pretty much the successful target for major league SP.

Schoolcraft goes tonight for LE and though he's improved lately, he is far far off from being a major league pitcher.  Needs to get that big body in synch with his mechanics - hopefully, he will continue to show progress although it seems incredibly slow for us fans who are hoping for big things from him.

Quote from fenn68 on May 23, 2026, 4:04 am

Does seem that promoting Mayfield (21) may come sooner than I expected. In his last three starts (15 innings) he has a 0.00 ERA yielding only 4 hits / 2 BB and 20K. In season's 8 starts a 1.30 ERA and dropping. His FB velocity is climbing back to what they saw prior to the draft ... prior to his shoulder injury in 2025.  Now seems to be in the mid-90s but had flashed higher before the injury.

On the optimistic side, getting him 12 +/- starts in AA this season should do a lot for his development. Then, start 2027 (during the lockout) in AA/AAA setting him up POTENTIALLY for his ML debut late 2027 (or 2028). Padres really need adds to their future SP so the door is open.

Schoolcraft (19) is struggling more than I expected for a kid who was really hyped in the draft. Command seems to be a major issue. However, on the positive side, after a poor April (4 starts with a .500 BAA and a 3.69 WHIP) his May shows improvement (4 starts with a .196 BAA and a 1.54 WHIP).

Quote from fenn68 on May 29, 2026, 9:08 am

Heard Buddy Black on the radio today ... part of his Padres' job is evaluating the minor league prospects.

He touched on Salas and apparently the organization is "discussing" at what point the MIGHT move Salas up to AAA. However, for now, they like him working with the SA manager (who is an ex-catcher).

Black said they are not focused on his hitting but feel need to continue to work on his defense (more along calling games). Actually was somewhat specific to calling games in the late innings on the road (I expect when the games are close).

So, basically not considering Salas for a 2026 call-up. My guess 2027 is more realistic.