Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40 

Weatherford (Texas) HS has sent three pitchers to the big leagues in the last two decades -- Zack Britton, Beau Burrows and Colt Hynes -- as well as Hippo Vaughn of double no-hitter fame a century ago. The Kangaroos' latest phenom is Kemp, who popped as a prospect last fall when he began reaching 94 mph with his fastball at the Texas State Games and the World Wood Bat Association World Championship. His control improved significantly this spring, though it remains to be seen if he can be lured away from an Oklahoma commitment. 

Kemp worked at 89-92 mph for most of the spring, occasionally hitting some 94s, and alternately features run and cut on his fastball. His slider is gaining some velocity and now parks in the low 80s, though some scouts question how conducive his short arm action is to spinning the ball. He displays some feel for a changeup with some promising fade, but it's presently too firm in the mid-80s. 

Kemp has a solid 6-foot-6 build with room to add more muscle, so he should gain more velocity. As he gets stronger, his ability to repeat his delivery and provide strikes is getting better. If he goes to college and continues to improve, he could be an early-round pick in 2026. 

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40

Hailing from Weatherford (Texas) HS – the same school that produced Zack Britton, Beau Burrows and no-hitter legend Hippo Vaughn – Kemp put himself on the radar the fall before his senior year when he started touching 94 mph at the Texas State Games and the World Wood Bat Association World Championship. He maintained that momentum into the spring and was ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 209 Draft prospect in 2023. The Oklahoma commit fell to the eighth round, but the Padres signed him for $625,000, giving him their second-highest bonus of the class to talk him away from college ball.

Kemp was back to the 89-92 mph range for the most part, still touching 94, in his final spring as an amateur, but he started flashing a little more velo under the Padres’ watch, though he didn’t pitch in an official game for the organization. His low-80s slider was also improving, but because of a short arm action, some scouts doubt it would be better than average in the pros. A mid-80s changeup also showed too much firmness, though it’ll occasionally fade nicely giving hope it too could be a decent third option.

Kemp stands out most for his size at 6-foot-6, and there’s still projection remaining, so this might be only the start of his velo gains. The stronger he gets, the more likely he is to repeat his delivery and get strikes too, giving him breakout potential entering his first full season. Because Kemp signed, the Padres can oversee his development how they see fit, but shoulder issues have kept him from getting going in earnest in what should have been his first full season.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40 

Weatherford (Texas) HS has sent three pitchers to the big leagues in the past two decades -- Zack Britton, Beau Burrows and Colt Hynes -- as well as Hippo Vaughn of double no-hitter fame a century ago. The Kangaroos' latest phenom is Kemp, who popped up as a prospect last fall when he began reaching 94 mph with his fastball at the Texas State Games and the World Wood Bat Association World Championship. His control improved significantly this spring, and the Padres took him in the eighth round, signing him away from an Oklahoma commitment with a well-above-slot $625,000 bonus.

Kemp worked at 89-92 mph for most of the spring, occasionally hitting some 94s, and alternately features run and cut on his fastball. His slider is gaining some velocity and now parks in the low 80s, though some scouts question how conducive his short arm action is to spinning the ball. He displays some feel for a changeup with promising fade, but it's presently too firm in the mid-80s.

Kemp has a solid 6-foot-6 build with room to add more muscle, so he should gain more velocity. As he gets stronger, his ability to repeat his delivery and provide strikes is getting better. That gives the Padres development staff a solid base to work with as Kemp begins his pro career.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	05/03/2024	ACL Padres placed RHP Kannon Kemp on the 60-day injured list.
	08/10/2023	RHP Kannon Kemp roster status changed by ACL Padres.
	07/20/2023	San Diego Padres signed RHP Kannon Kemp.