The Padres will have two prospects on display in Sunday’s AFL Fall Stars Game, with outfielder Alex McCoy and right-hander Kannon Kemp both earning spots on the National League roster.
McCoy’s selection comes on the heels of another invitation: he was already set to take part in Saturday’s Arizona Fall League Home Run Derby. Now the San Diego outfield prospect gets an even bigger spotlight, joining seven NL outfielders for the league’s annual showcase.
The game is set for 5 p.m. PT and will air on MLB Network.
For McCoy, it’s another big step in a 2026 season that has pushed him firmly onto the radar in San Diego’s system. He went undrafted out of Hofstra University before the Padres signed him in July of 2024.
Entering this season, he was still something of a long shot, but he forced his way into the conversation with strong production at High-A Fort Wayne and Double-A San Antonio. When the AFL season began, MLB Pipeline had him ranked No. 26 in the Padres’ system, and that number figures to climb when the offseason update arrives.
Kemp is also headed to the Fall Stars Game as one of 10 pitchers chosen for the NL roster. San Diego’s 13th-ranked prospect has been working for the Peoria Javelinas, who were tied for first in the AFL standings at 14-9 after games played Nov.
- In five starts, Kemp has thrown 13 innings, allowed nine earned runs and posted a 6.23 ERA, but the eye-catching number is the strikeout total: 14.
His fastball has averaged 97.1 mph, fourth-highest in the league, and that kind of velocity has helped him miss bats.
That return of premium velocity matters after Kemp’s injury-shortened season. He was limited to 18 games, 10 starts and 38.1 innings this year because of injuries.
San Diego could still add one more representative. Utility infielder Justin DeCriscio is among three NL players available in the “Final 2” vote, which will decide one last selection from each league for the game. DeCriscio has hit .268 with a .925 OPS in 12 games, along with three home runs, 14 RBIs and four stolen bases.
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