Kash Mayfield did not end his season on a high note.

He is still leaving his first year of pro ball with plenty to build on.

The 20-year-old left-hander finished made his final start Wednesday, throwing 42 pitches (24 strikes) while allowing three runs — two earned — to start low Single-A Lake Elsinore’s 13-4 loss at Inland Empire. The effort lifted his final ERA ever so slightly to 2.97 as the Padres’ 2024 first-rounder had been on a roll since shoulder inflammation sidelined him for about three weeks early in the season.

“That was a little wakeup call,” Mayfield said while visiting Petco Park on Monday with a handful of Storm teammates during their last off-day of the season. “I got that situated and have been feeling great.”

The flare-up indeed forced Mayfield to double down on the consistency of his arm care and recovery as he waded through his first year as a professional pitcher. He had a 4.87 ERA through his first 20 ⅓ innings with Lake Elsinore, returned from the injured list on June 4 and finished the season with a 2.01 ERA over his final 40⅓ innings.

All told, Mayfield went 1-5 with a 2.97 ERA, 88 strikeouts and 28 walks in 60⅔ innings. He held opposing hitters to a .207 batting average and set his initial career bests at five innings (5X) and nine strikeouts.

“One thing I’ve learned to do really well … is my command has come a long way,” Mayfield said. “Improved the changeup and slider. Fastball command, changeup command, slider command have all been there. That’s been a big part of my success this year.”

It’s why he was able to thrive despite his fastball velocity dipping from 94 to 97 mph his last year of high school to 89-94 mph this season, he said. Learning how to pitch on the regular was a real part of his first professional season, as he discovered while briefly on the injured list in May, and it’s something he believes he’s prepared to tackle this offseason.

The plan?

“Probably just keeping my body healthy, keeping my arm in shape,” Mayfield said. “Gaining weight, getting stronger, improving my pitches. Probably getting some of the velo back that I had in high school. This season was one to get used to (pitching as a professional).”

He’s happy to still be doing it with the Padres, too.

After all, a number of his Storm friends were shipped out at the trade deadline. In fact, he and 2024 second-rounder Boston Bateman visited Petco Park together days before Bateman ultimately headlined the package that reeled in Ramón Laureano and Ryan O’Hearn from the Orioles.

The first two picks from the 2024 draft and fellow left-handers, Mayfield and Bateman had grown close enough that Mayfield said was still planning to work in a visit to his friend in Camarillo this offseason

“Very stressful,” Mayfield said of the trade deadline. “I was sitting there looking at my phone, trying to see if something was going to happen. I’m really glad I got to stay with this organization. I freaking love these guys.

“Really love building with them.”

 

Wednesday’s scoreboard

TRIPLE-A EL PASO (71-62)

Sacramento 7, Chihuahuas 3: LHP Jackson Wolf (6-3, 5.68 ERA) allowed seven runs on six hits and three walks in 3⅔ innings in the loss. LF Tim Locastro (.803 OPS) went 2-for-4 and his 27th steal and a run scored. 1B Nate Mondou (.820 OPS) hit his fourth triple and SS Ripken Reyes (.776 OPS) hit his seventh double.

 

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (60-67)

Corpus Christi 7, Missions 1: LHP Jagger Haynes (4.13 ERA) struck out three over three no-hit innings in the start. He walked two. RHP Jared Kollar (2-8, 5.64 ERA) allowed seven runs in three innings. San Antonio’s only hit was a home run from C Anthony Vilar (.658 OPS).

 

HIGH SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (55-72)

W.Michigan 8, TinCaps 4: RHP Clark Candiotti (1-7, 5.77 ERA) allowed six runs — four earned — on five hits and two walks in 1⅔ innings in the loss. RF Jack Costello (.643 OPS) went 2-for-5 with his 10th homer. C Lamar King Jr. (.597 OPS) went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a walk and a run scored.

 

LOW SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (56-72)

Inland Empire 13, Storm 4: Mayfield allowed four of the 17 hits surrendered by six pitchers, the last being INF Justin DeCriscio. SS Jorge Quintana (.584 OPS) hit his first homer and LF Alex McCoy (.905 OPS) drove in two runs on two hits, including his sixth homer.