San Diego Padres select Oklahoma State LHP commit Kash Mayfield in 2024 MLB Draft

The San Diego Padres have selected Oklahoma State left-handed pitcher commit Kash Mayfield in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft. Now the talented young player will have to make a decision on whether he wants to begin his pro career now or go the college route.

Mayfield just wrapped up his senior season for Elk City (OK) High School. He claimed back-to-back Oklahoma Gatorade High School Baseball Player of the Year awards in 2023 and 2024.

The southpaw led Elk City to the 4A state semifinals as a junior and got the team back to the state tournament this past season, where it lost in the quarterfinals. He posted an 8-0 record on the mound with 115 strikeouts and a 0.16 ERA in 44 innings of work as a senior. He also batted .476 to record 31 RBIs and stole 21 bases on 22 attempts.

Mayfield was ranked as the No. 27 prospect in the 2024 class according MLB Pipeline. He was also named the Most Valuable Pitcher at the Perfect Game World Wood Bat Association championships and was a 2023 USA Baseball prospect selection.

It’s clear with his talent that he has a bright future ahead of himself be that in the MLB or in Stillwater this season. Oklahoma State is coming off of a 42-19 record this past season and lost in Regional play of the NCAA Baseball Tournament.

What MLB analysts are saying about Kash Mayfield

MLB.com has a scouting report on Mayfield available to read on his player profile. It praised him for the work he has put in to increase the speed on his fastball, which has reached as high as 97 mph.

“After working with an upper-80s fastball last spring, Mayfield is dealing at 92-95 mph and reaching 97 with armside run and carry,” the report reads. “He already possesses an advanced changeup that parks in the low 80s and drops at the plate, making his heater even more effective. His slurvy upper-70s breaking ball stands out more for his ability to locate it than its power or shape.

“Mayfield creates extension with his fluid delivery and repeats it well, enabling him to put his pitches where he wants. The Oklahoma State recruit is a bit scary for some teams because of a lack of track record and data from the showcase circuit, and some clubs will quibble with his age (19 years, 5 months on Draft Day), but his upside is obvious. He may have more projection remaining and shares some similarities with Jordan Wicks — while being a much better prospect at the same stage.”