Padres have a dangerous breakout prospect execs are raving about in 2026

A lot has been made of the San Diego Padres' lack of impact prospects, a byproduct of trading so aggressively for win-now talent for multiple years.

Though there are a number of intriguing prospects littered throughout the system, precious few are anywhere close to making their major-league debuts. Likewise, the team only has one consensus Top 100 prospect, catcher Ethan Salas, who has slid down most rankings after missing most of the 2025 season with a stress fracture in his back.

However, all is not lost.

The organization's first-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, Kruz Schoolcraft, is one the most tantalizing pitchers in the minor leagues. He stands at a towering 6'8" and comes equipped with a high-90s fastball and two advanced off-speed pitches (a slider and changeup). And he's only 18 years old.

You can be sure other teams have taken note of his presence as well. According to MLB Pipeline's executive poll, Schoolcraft is favorite to be the "breakout prospect of the year" in 2026.

Kruz Schoolfcraft equips Padres' farm system with much-needed upside

Despite having logged all of 1 2/3 innings above the high school level in his life, some outlets are already taking notice of the lanky lefty. He entered MLB Pipeline's Top 100 list at the onset of the offseason, and most consider him to already be the best pitching prospect in the Padres' system.

Beyond just his projectability, he also brings a wicked track record with him. In his final year of high school ball, he authored a 0.39 ERA and 146 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings. Just for good measure, he also hit .506 at the plate.

For those wondering about Schoolcraft's timeline, scouting director Chris Kemp made it clear earlier this offseason that the team won't hold him back — if he proves he's ready for the next level, the Padres will promote him. That being said, he's a high school draft pick who got into one appearance with Single-A Lake Elsinore in 2025; even if he dominates the competition, he'll need a lot of seasoning on his way to the majors.

Still, it isn't the worst thing in the world if it takes the intimidating southpaw a few years to ascend the minor-league ranks. Part of building up a farm system is exercising patience, something A.J. Preller has admittedly never been very good at.

Schoolcraft's future is far more important to this organization than whatever niche production he can offer them in the present. For his and the Padres' sake, let's hope the executives are right — and that the 18-year-old is allowed to take things at his own pace.