The San Diego Padres are preparing for the upcoming 2025 MLB Draft, holding the 25th overall pick. As fans anticipate the team's selection, it's a good time to reflect on the Padres' recent history of first-round draft choices. Some of these picks have blossomed into valuable assets, while others have taken different paths. Let's examine the Padres' first-round selections from the past five years:
2024: Kash Mayfield (25th Overall)
The Padres selected left-handed pitcher Kash Mayfield from Elk City High School in Oklahoma with the 25th overall pick in 2024. Mayfield received a $3.44 million signing bonus and stands tall at 6-foot-4. He didn't pitch professionally in 2024 but made his debut in 2025 with Single-A Lake Elsinore. In his first 11 starts, Mayfield has impressed, holding opponents to a .184 batting average. He boasts a 3.48 ERA in 31 innings, striking out 49 batters. Although he missed some time due to shoulder discomfort, he has rebounded strongly, allowing only one run in his last 10 innings.
- Current Status: Promising young pitcher in the Single-A system.
- Early Performance: Strong strikeout numbers and low opponent batting average.
- Potential Concerns: Early injury setback.
- Overall Grade: A-
2023: Dillon Head (25th Overall)
Dillon Head, a 6-foot outfielder from Homewood Flossmoor High School in Illinois, was the Padres' 2023 first-round pick, signing for a team-friendly $2.80 million. However, his tenure with the Padres was short-lived. After playing 48 minor league games for San Diego, Head was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for infielder Luis Arraez. Currently, Head is playing for Single-A Jupiter and is batting .226 as the Marlins' number 8 prospect. The trade of a recent first-round pick is rarely ideal, but what makes this case sting more for Padres fans is that the New York Yankees selected George Lombard Jr. immediately after the Padres picked Head. Lombard Jr. is now considered the top prospect in the Yankees' organization and is projected to have a successful major league career.
- Current Status: Traded to the Miami Marlins.
- Performance with Padres: Limited minor league games.
- Trade Impact: Acquired Luis Arraez (short term).
- Opportunity Cost: Missed out on George Lombard Jr.
- Overall Grade: C
2022: Dylan Lesko (15th Overall)
The Padres selected Dylan Lesko, a pitcher from Buford High School in Georgia, with the 15th overall pick in 2022, giving him a $3.90 million signing bonus. Lesko's minor league performance didn't meet expectations, but the Padres managed to turn the situation around by trading him to the Tampa Bay Rays for relief pitcher Jason Adam. Adam has since become an All-Star for San Diego, making the Lesko pick a worthwhile move in hindsight. Lesko's ERA numbers in the minor leagues tell a concerning story: 5.45 in 2023, 6.96 in 2024, and a staggering 23.63 in 2025. His control issues have led the Rays to send him back to their training complex to essentially restart his development. Some notable players drafted after Lesko in the first round include Chase DeLauter, Justin Crawford, Cole Young and Spencer Jones.
- Current Status: Traded to the Tampa Bay Rays.
- Performance with Padres: Struggled in the minor leagues.
- Trade Impact: Acquired All-Star relief pitcher Jason Adam.
- Overall Grade: B
2021: Jackson Merrill (27th Overall)
Jackson Merrill, selected out of Severna Park High School in Maryland, might become the best draft pick in Padres history. Given a $1.80 million signing bonus, Merrill quickly ascended through the minor leagues before making his major league debut. At just 22 years old, Merrill has already achieved All-Star status, won a Silver Slugger award, and finished in the Top 10 for MVP voting. The Padres demonstrated their commitment to Merrill by signing him to a nine-year, $135 million contract extension. Despite battling injuries in 2025, Merrill has recorded 61 hits in 59 games and has showcased excellent defensive skills in the outfield and on the basepaths.
- Current Status: Starting outfielder for the San Diego Padres.
- MLB Achievements: All-Star, Silver Slugger, MVP candidate.
- Contract: Nine-year, $135 million extension.
- Overall Grade: A+
2020: Robert Hassell III (8th Overall)
The Padres' selection of Robert Hassell III with the 8th overall pick in 2020 has not panned out as hoped. Hassell III, an outfielder from Independence High School in Tennessee, received a $4.30 million signing bonus. While he posted decent numbers in the Padres' farm system, he became part of a trade with the Washington Nationals, along with James Wood, MacKenzie Gore, and CJ Abrams, in exchange for Juan Soto. The Padres' gamble on Soto didn't yield a championship, and Soto is no longer with the team. Hassell III is currently performing well with Triple-A Rochester, batting .299 with 11 doubles, eight home runs, 13 stolen bases, and 36 RBIs. He's hitting .321 in July and is currently on a six-game hitting streak. The situation represents a classic "what could have been" scenario. Hassell III's departure, combined with Soto's exit, makes this draft pick a disappointment. While it's not entirely Hassell III's fault, the outcome makes it a regrettable selection, considering the circumstances. Some notable players drafted after Lesko in the first round include Zac Veen, Reid Detmers, Garrett Crochet, Patrick Bailey, Mick Abel, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Garrett Mitchell, Tyler Soderstrom, Austin Wells, and Jordan Westburg.
- Current Status: Playing for Triple-A Rochester (Nationals organization).
- Performance with Padres: Decent minor league numbers.
- Trade Impact: Traded for Juan Soto (short term).
- Opportunity Cost: Missed out on numerous other talented players.
- Overall Grade: D
Post a Comment for "Padres' First-Round Draft Grades: Last 5 Years"