Padres go big, land towering lefty in first round of MLB Draft

With the 25th overall selection, the San Diego Padres drafted Kruz Schoolcraft, a 6-foot-8 two-way athlete out of Sunset High School in Oregon. The left-hander is one of the most intriguing talents in this year’s class — and quite possibly the owner of the coolest name on the board.

Schoolcraft turned heads all year long with his electric performances on the mound and his upside as a first baseman. While he’s shown real talent at the plate — including potential above-average hitting ability and legitimate power — the general consensus is that his future lies on the mound, where his raw tools are already generating pro-level buzz.

Padres draft two-way phenom Kruz Schoolcraft, betting on elite arm

Armed with a fastball that tops out at 97 mph, Schoolcraft has the kind of velocity scouts dream about. The only mild knock on his heater is that it can play a bit straight due to lower spin. Still, his slider in the low 80s has real bite, and some evaluators believe his feel for spin suggests more velocity and movement could come with development.

Despite his height and long levers, Schoolcraft maintains a clean, repeatable delivery and shows a strong ability to locate his offerings. 

Make no mistake, Schoolcraft can hit too. As a first baseman, he’s agile and athletic with strong defensive instincts around the bag. The Tennessee commit was originally projected to be part of the 2026 class but reclassified to 2025 — a move that speaks to his elite skillset. If he does end up honoring his commitment, Tennessee is expected to give him an opportunity to be a legitimate two-way contributor at the college level.

The big question now is whether the Padres can lock him into a professional deal. With the leverage of a college commitment to a powerhouse program and a strong enough bat to re-enter future drafts as a hitter, Schoolcraft’s signing could require a sizable bonus. But if the Padres can ink him, he’ll likely enter the organization as a pitcher with massive upside.

It’s a bold pick with high upside for the Padres, who clearly weren’t afraid to swing big in the first round. Schoolcraft checks just about every box: size, athleticism, raw tools, and projection. Now it’s just a matter of signing him and letting him grow.

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