Padres Prospect Hot Sheet: Kruz Schoolcraft Showing Signs of Development

Let's check in on the San Diego Padres prospects who made a mark in the last week (check out Padres Mission's latest Top 20 rankings as well!):

Note that this is an abbreviated list with teams only scheduled for three games due to the All-Star break.

Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Low-A Lake Elsinore Storm

Season stats: 2-5, 6.03 ERA, 16 games (all starts), 59⅔ IP, 64 H, 47 R, 40 ER, 39 BB, 63 K, .284 opponent average

When grabbed with the 25th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the left-handed starter was always going to be a project. The question was: When would the Padres start to unlock some of the potential? We are likely seeing the early fruits of the Friars' labor. The 19-year-old, Padres Mission's No. 5 prospect, had one of his top three starts this season when he went five shutout innings Friday in a 12-0 victory over the Ontario Tower Buzzers. Schoolcraft allowed just three hits while walking three and striking out six. It was just the second time this season Schoolcraft didn't allow a run (May 15 was the other).

This start also came after Schoolcraft went 5⅓ innings July 10 vs. the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in a 5-4 walk-off loss. He gave up just one run on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts. The one major area where Schoolcraft is struggling is keeping runners off base. His opponent average is down to .284 after being at .400 in early May, while his walk rate is at 14.3%. His strikeout numbers are fine at 23.2%, just not where people expect a first-rounder to be. But Schoolcraft does appear to be making strides.

Jagger Haynes, LHP, Double-A San Antonio Missions

Season stats: 3-3, 4.37 ERA, 18 games (all starts), 94⅔ IP, 79 H, 48 R, 46 ER, 41 BB, 85 K, .228 opponent average

Drafted in 2020 but not making his pro debut until 2023 following Tommy John surgery, the clock is ticking on the left-handed starter. While the consistency isn't there, the 23-year-old is showing more than he has previously. That was certainly evident in Friday's start against the Corpus Christi Hooks. Padres Mission's No. 13 prospect went six innings, giving up just a run on three hits and a walk while punching out eight, matching his season high. It was the second time in three starts he went at least five innings and allowed just one run, but in between, he gave up six runs in three innings.

In five of his 18 starts, Haynes has given up four or more runs, while having 10 games of two runs or less. As has been mentioned previously, Haynes is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this offseason (if and when that process is held is another question) for the second year in a row. He went unselected last year after being unprotected, but might now be showing enough to earn a 40-man spot from the Padres if not another team. Of course, that could also make him attractive to other teams at the trade deadline if the Padres add to the big-league roster.

Dawson Willis, SS, Low-A Lake Elsinore Storm

Season stats: .285/.370/.550, 41 games, 30 R, 11 2B, 4 3B, 7 HR, 30 RBI, 18 BB, 59 K, 12 SB, 1 CS

Another undrafted free agent who is having success with the Padres, the toolsy shortstop showed off his speed over the weekend. The 6-foot-4, 187-pound 22-year-old put up a slash line of .300/.533/.800 (3-for-10) in three games. But his highlight most definitely was his two-triple game Friday against Ontario. Willis had two triples in 38 games before Friday. One of the triples against the Tower Buzzers drove in a run and he scored following both and a season-high three times that game. Three of his four triples this season have come in his 28 games with the Storm, where he was promoted after a .300/.373/.617 showing in 16 games in the Arizona Complex League. He has a .275/.368/.505 slash line with the Storm.

This is Willis' first pro experience. He signed after not being taken following one year at Oklahoma following a transfer from LSU-Eunice, a junior college. He played third base at Oklahoma after being named the juco Division II Defensive Player of the Year. While he hit six home runs for the Sooners in starting all 60 games, he has already popped seven in 41 pro games. As someone with his raw talent, Willis has struck out a lot, fanning 41 times in 28 games with Lake Elsinore.

Interested in learning more about the San Diego Padres' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!