Padres Select LHP And First Baseman Kruz Schoolcraft 25th Overall In The 2025 MLB Draft

The San Diego Padres selected LHP/1B Kruz Schoolcraft with the 25th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. Schoolcraft is a lanky 6'8, 229 lbs prep pitcher from Sunset High School in Beaverton, Oregon. He was ranked 25th Padres Mission Consensus Draft Board. The 25th draft slot comes with a valued price tag of $3,160,000. 

Schoolcraft is committed to the University of Tennessee with a fastball that averages out in the mid-90s and can currently top out at 97 MPH. His go-to off-speed pitch is a slider that currently tops out in the low to mid-80s. 

As of now, Schoolcraft is much better projected to be a pitcher long-term versus his value as a hitter. He's been scouted with a ceiling of being an above-average hitter, but as the top prep left-handed arm in this draft class. The Padres will likely work to keep Schoolcraft as a starter with the heat off his fastball. He still needs to increase spin rates both on his fastball and slider and add a fourth pitch to his arsenal. 

While super-tall prep pitchers often lack a balance in their deliveries on the mound, Schoolcraft has been evaluated as having a great ability to maintain his delivery on the mound and keep command of his pitches in the strike zone. 

 This marks the ninth consecutive season the Padres have drafted a prep player with their first pick in the draft, dating back to LHP MacKenzie Gore 3rd overall in the 2017 MLB Draft. 

Check out our 2026 mock draft board, updated regularly, and with detailed player write-ups!