Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55

Schoolcraft was originally slated to be part of the Class of 2026, but he reclassified back in December 2023 to join this crop. A legitimate two-way standout as a left-handed pitcher and a first baseman, most teams likely prefer him on the hill after he excelled at events like the Area Code Games over the summer. He has the chance to be the next in the line of Oregon prep arms to go in the first round, following first-rounders Mick Abel in 2020 and Noble Meyer in '23, overcoming a rough start to the spring when his stuff was down to look much more like one of the top arms in the class as the season wore on.

The 6-foot-8 Schoolcraft is a towering presence on the mound and in the batter's box. As a pitcher, he's up to 97 mph with his fastball, with the only knock against it a relative lack of spin and carry, so right now it can play a little straight. He has a tight, traditional two-plane slider, thrown in the low-80s that has carry and teeth, and some believe his feel for spin with that pitch should allow him to add more to his heater. He has a very good feel for his changeup, which he sells with excellent arm speed. Despite his size and long limbs, he does an excellent job of maintaining his delivery and landing all of his offerings for strikes.

At the plate, Schoolcraft has the chance to perhaps be an above-average hitter with better than average power in the future. The Tennessee recruit obviously offers a big target at first base, but he’s athletic around the bag and is a dynamic defender. The bat could be draftable on its own, but it’s pretty clear that he is being considered in the first round because of his arm.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55

Schoolcraft reclassified into the Class of 2025 all the way back in December 2023, sliding him up a year. The Oregon native was seen as a possible two-way player as a prepster, but he impressed scouts more with his work on the mound than at first base at showcase events. His stuff was down a little in his pre-Draft spring, but he shook that off to become one of the best prep arms in the class come summertime. The Padres selected him with the 25th overall pick, signed him for exact slot at $3,606,600 and got him one outing at Single-A Lake Elsinore in September.

The 6-foot-8 southpaw will stand out for his size on any diamond, and that gives everyone who sees him plenty to dream on for his future. His heater was up to 99 mph in bridge league play after the Draft, but it showed substandard action during that brief outing in the California League. The velo is a fine place to start, and Schoolcraft’s seven feet of extension could get it to play better as he gains pro experience. The upper-80s changeup is the best present pitch. Schoolcraft sells it well out of the hand before it dives below bats (and away from righties). A low-80s slider shows some promising sweep but will need to be fine-tuned.

Despite his size, Schoolcraft has an athletic delivery that should help him deliver strikes, beginning with his return to the California League in 2026. There’s been a theme of two-way players taking off once focusing on a singular path in recent years with Nolan McLean, Bubba Chandler and Carson Benge prime examples. Schoolcraft has the size and raw ingredients to be the next on the list.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55

Schoolcraft was originally slated to be part of the Class of 2026, but he reclassified back in December 2023 to join this year’s crop. A legitimate two-way standout as a left-handed pitcher and a first baseman, most teams preferred him on the hill after he excelled at events like the Area Code Games. He followed Mick Abel (2020) and Noble Meyer (2023) in the line of Oregon prep arms to go in the first round, overcoming a rough start to the spring when his stuff was down to look much more like one of the top arms in the class as the season wore on. The Padres selected him 25th overall and signed him for exact slot at $3,606,600.

The 6-foot-8 Schoolcraft is a towering presence on the mound. He’s up to 97 mph with his fastball while showing good extension, with the only knock against it a relative lack of spin and carry, so right now it can play a little straight. He has a tight, traditional two-plane slider, thrown in the low-80s with carry and teeth, and some believe his feel for spin with that pitch should allow him to add more to his heater. He has a very good feel for his changeup, which he sells with excellent arm speed. Despite his size and long limbs, he does an excellent job of maintaining his delivery and landing all of his offerings for strikes.

A Tennessee recruit, Schoolcraft was considered a solid two-way prospect throughout the Draft process, but both he and San Diego clarified that he’ll stick to pitching as he begins his professional journey. His ceiling is considerably higher in that role, and with a full-time focus on the mound, his stuff could tick up across the board.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	LHP Kruz Schoolcraft assigned to San Diego Padres Prospects.
	09/02/2025	LHP Kruz Schoolcraft assigned to Lake Elsinore Storm from ACL Padres.
	08/04/2025	ACL Padres activated LHP Kruz Schoolcraft.
	07/24/2025	LHP Kruz Schoolcraft assigned to ACL Padres.
	07/24/2025	San Diego Padres signed LHP Kruz Schoolcraft.
	06/03/2025	LHP Kruz Schoolcraft assigned to College Workout.
	08/16/2024	LHP Kruz Schoolcraft assigned to High School Workout.
	08/12/2024	LHP Kruz Schoolcraft assigned to High School Workout.
	06/30/2024	High School Workout activated LHP Kruz Schoolcraft.