McCoy should make for one of the most interesting prospect follows in the Padres system in 2026, and not just because he stands 6-foot-5 and is listed at 260 pounds. The Baltimore-area native spent two years at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore before transferring to Hofstra, where former 14-year Major Leaguer Frank Catalanotto coached him. After going unselected in the 2024 Draft, McCoy signed as a nondrafted free agent with the Padres. He dealt with hamstring and quad injuries in his first full season but he left a mark in his time with Single-A Lake Elsinore, hitting .318/.394/.513 with six homers in 53 games.
The right-handed slugger's raw power is the best in the San Diego pipeline and some of the best in the entire Minors. There's a ton of strength in his base and upper body, and he maxed out with an 118 mph exit velocity in the California League -- a number that would fit at the top of many teams' leaderboards in the Majors. There is some feel for hitting here too. McCoy doesn’t lash out to get to that pop, and his swing can be short and controlled to whack stuff inside. He did swing a fair amount through sliders and changeups away, and upper-level pitchers will try to take advantage of that.
McCoy is a decent mover under way -- someone who can push for extra bases on balls to the gaps -- but can take a bit to get moving up the first-base line. He was primarily in left field last year in Lake Elsinore, a decent fit for his speed and arm strength, but could eventually become a bigger target at first base, where he spent the first two years of his NCAA career. McCoy will need to mash at either spot.
