The honor recognizes one of the unsung members of the Padres organization whose work rarely makes headlines but plays an essential role in every game played at Petco Park.
Ortega-Alves has served as a member of the Padres' ball crew for the past four seasons, becoming a familiar face along the foul lines while assisting players, umpires and game operations during home games. Her selection places her among Major League Baseball's top ball crew members and gives her the opportunity to lead the National League's all-star ball crew during one of baseball's biggest annual events.
MLB unveiled its official 2026 All-Star Ball Crew roster on social media, announcing Ortega-Alves as the National League representative while Chicago White Sox ball crew member Kayla Corbett will lead the American League squad.
Away from the ballpark, Ortega-Alves works professionally as a Senior Grants Administrator for the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center's Research Administration Unit, where she assists researchers with grant administration, funding opportunities and research support. A San Diego native, she attended Albert Einstein Academy and later San Diego High School of International Studies before beginning her professional career.
Although fans often focus on the players during All-Star festivities, ball crew members play a critical role throughout the event, retrieving foul balls, supplying baseballs to umpires, supporting on-field operations and helping ensure the game runs seamlessly in front of a global audience.
For the Padres, Ortega-Alves' selection provides a bright spot during an otherwise disappointing season in which the club will send only one player—closer Mason Miller—to the National League roster. While San Diego's on-field representation may be smaller than many fans hoped, the organization will still have a prominent presence throughout the All-Star Game thanks to one of its longest-serving members of the ball crew.
The 2026 MLB All-Star Game will be held on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, where Ortega-Alves will lead the National League's official ball crew on baseball's biggest stage.
Originally published on July 8, 2026.