On 12-5-24, MLB.com posted their top 100 prospects in the
upcoming draft. Beginning 2-2-25, we will post it in backward order, ending
with the pick for 1.1
https://www.mlb.com/prospects/2025/draft/ -
#9 Kruz Schoolcraft
LHP/1B Sunset (OR)
17/years old
6' 8" 229
COMMITTED - Tennessee
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 |
Control: 50 | Overall: 55
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field:
55 | Overall: 50
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.
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 might be a bit
behind the arm, but there are attributes to consider on both sides of the ball.
2-26-25 –
MLB mock draft 2025: Projecting first round for 2025 MLB
Draft
https://sportsnaut.com/mlb/mlb-analysis/lists/mlb-mock-draft-2025/
16. Minnesota Twins: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP/1B, Sunset High
School (Oregon)
Kruz Schoolcraft is a 6-foot-8 lefty pitcher and first
baseman who is drawing comparisons to San Francisco Giants prospect Bryce
Eldridge. Schoolcraft has a high-90s fastball and is known as the best prep
pitcher in the draft. Despite being a two-way star in high school, his future
appears to be on the mound. He could be a potential top-of-the-rotation starter
for the Minnesota Twins for years to come.
2-25-25 - 2025 MLB Draft: A closer look at the top 20 high
school prospects entering the spring
5. Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP/1B, Portland (Oregon)
Schoolcraft could challenge Hernandez as the first pitcher
selected, if you consider him a pitcher. A recent trend has been for MLB teams
to select good two-way players and then give them some time in the minors to
make an impact one way of the other – ala Bryce Eldridge. Schoolcraft could fit
this mold as a power left-handed pitcher and power-hitting first baseman.
Betting odds have him ending up as a hitter – but it’s close.
2-10-25
FLO Baseball - 2025 MLB Mock Draft 1.0-
https://www.flobaseball.tv/articles/13555752-2025-mlb-mock-draft-10-nats-stunner-with-the-no-1-pick
No. 7 Miami Marlins: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP/ 1B, Portland,
Oregon
The Pirates and Marlins being back-to-back in the draft could
be a gift for the Blue Jays and Reds, who own the No. 8 and No. 9 picks and
clearly are trying to win now.
The Pirates could take a college prospect who could move
through the system quickly. But the Marlins are in a full rebuild, hence why
they moved on from a talented manager, Skip Schumaker, and traded Jesus
Luzardo.
1-28-25 –
MLB 2025 Mock Draft 2.0: Predictions for Every 1st-Round Pick
10. Chicago White Sox: LHP/1B Kruz Schoolcraft, Sunset HS
(OR)
The White Sox hit on a lanky prep left-hander a few years ago
when they selected Noah Schultz in the first round, and Schoolcraft has a
similar profile. The 6'8" southpaw is one of the better two-way prospects
in the 2025 class and has some similarities to Giants top prospect Bryce
Eldridge, though he has a higher ceiling on the mound than he does in the
batter's box.
1-27-25 - Just Baseball –
2025 MLB Draft - Top 80 High School Prospects
https://www.justbaseball.com/college/mlb-draft-top-high-school-prep-prospects
9. Kruz Schoolcraft – LHP
HT/WT: 6’8/230 | Bat/Throw: L/L | School: Sunset (OR) |
Commitment: Tennessee | Age: 18.2
A gangly, uber-projectable southpaw from Oregon, Schoolcraft
reclassed from the 2026 class and now projects as one of the best two-way
players in the class.
There’s more upside on the mound right now, as the 6’8,
230-pound lefty has exquisite body control and projects to throw much harder as
he grows into his frame. He’s primarily sat in the low-90s, though he’s maxed
out at 97 MPH, with tons of extension (upwards of seven feet or more) down the
hill and a heater that jumps on hitters quickly.
He’ll miss a bevy of bats during outings with it thanks to a
lower release and hop at the top of the zone. He had a grip change with his
slider that now sits in the mid-80s with cutter-esque firmness and an ability
to command it glove-side, though he’s experienced some growing pains with
landing it for strikes.
The change-up has high upside, too, as it tumbles heavily
from right-handed bats and features great feel and velocity separation. As he
learns to sync up his frame more, expect more strikes. He’s also a
power-hitting first baseman with legit feel for the barrel and loud power
potential given the projection. Schoolcraft announced his commitment to
Tennessee just before Christmas.
1-17-25 –
Introduction to the 2025 MLB Draft: Top prep hitters
available
https://bucsondeck.substack.com/p/introduction-to-the-2025-mlb-draft-1c4
Kruz Schoolcraft, 1B
Despite being a prep player, Kruz Schoolcraft is one of the
most physically imposing prospects in the draft. At 6’8”, Schoolcraft easily
draws comparisons to Bryce Eldridge due to his size and two-way ability.
At the plate, he’s another physically gifted, left-handed
sluggers at the top of the draft. There’s some talk of him potentially being
able to play the outfield, but he could be a plus defender at first, where the
hitting profile fits perfectly.
It will be interesting to see which way he falls, as there is
talk that he could legitimately settle in as a hitter or pitcher.
1-16-25 -
An Early Look at the Top 30 Prospects for the 2025 MLB Draft
https://lastwordonsports.com/baseball/2025/01/15/top-30-prospects-2025-mlb-draft/#google_vignette
16. Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP/1B, Sunset HS, Beaverton, Ore.
Another two-way who will likely be more coveted as an arm.
The 6’8″ prep product generates a fastball that has been up to 97 with a
promising low 80s slider. There is big power in his bat as well, but needs to
show the ability to hit consistently this spring to be a first-round bat.
1-3-25 –
2025 MLB Draft: Top 75 Prep Prospects — Prospects Live
https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2024/12/26/2025-mlb-draft-top-75-prep-prospects -
10. LHP/1B Kruz Schoolcraft, Sunset (OR)
Height: 6’8
Weight: 215
b/t: L/L
Draft Day Age: 18 yr 2 mo
Commitment: N/A
Hometown: Beaverton, OR
A gangly, uber-projectable southpaw from Oregon, Schoolcraft
reclassed from the 2026 class and now projects as one of the best two-way
players in the class. There's more upside on the mound right now, as the 6'8,
215 pound lefty has exquisite body control and projects to throw much harder as
he grows into his frame. He's primarily sat in the low-90s, though he's maxed
out at 97 MPH, with tons of extension down the hill and a heater that jumps on
hitters quickly. He'll miss a bevy of bats during outings with it thanks to a
lower release and hop at the top of the zone. He had a grip change with his
slider that now sits in the mid-80s with cutter-esque firmness and an ability
to command it gloveside, though he's experienced some growing pains with
landing it for strikes. The change-up has high upside, too, as it tumbles
heavily from right-handed bats and features great feel and velocity separation.
As he learns to sync up his frame more, expect more strikes. He's also a
power-hitting first baseman with legit feel for the barrel and loud power
potential given the projection. Schoolcraft is a recent commit to Tennessee and
if he doesn’t see his named called on draft day; Rocky Top can expect a day one
Superstar-level talent in their weekend rotation and everyday lineup.
12-23-24
White Sox 2025 MLB Draft Notebook 1.0
https://www.futuresox.net/2024/12/23/white-sox-2025-mlb-draft-notebook-1-0/
7. Miami Marlins: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP/1B, Sunset HS (OR)
The Marlins new braintrust loves very young players and
they’re also years away from contention at the moment. The 6-8, 230 pounder is
a legitimate two-way talent and he reclassified into the 2025 class so he’s
only 17-years-old.
12-10-24 –
Here's Pipeline's first full 2025 mock draft
https://www.mlb.com/news/first-full-2025-mlb-mock-draft?partnerID=web_article-share –
10. White Sox: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP/1B, Sunset HS,
Beaverton, Ore. (No. 9)
The White Sox landed the best lefty pitching prospect in
baseball (Noah Schultz) when they took a towering prep southpaw in the first
round in 2022, and Schoolcraft has a lot of similarities -- as well as an
intriguing bat.
12-20-2024 - Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB
It remains to be seen whether Kruz Schoolcraft will ever set
foot in Knoxville, but this is an enormous get for the Vols. It gives Tony
Vitello the top two prep lefties in the 2025 class. Schoolcraft is a first
round talent.
The top uncommitted player in the 2025 class is no longer on
the market. Lefthander and first baseman Kruz Schoolcraft announced his
commitment to Tennessee Friday afternoon on social media:
Schoolcraft currently ranks as the No. 9 overall player in
the 2025 draft class and the fourth-best high schooler behind only shortstop
Ethan Holliday, righthander Seth Hernandez and third baseman Xavier Neyens.
While Schoolcraft—like Hernandez and Neyens—boasts impressive
two-way ability and could play on both sides of the ball at the next level,
major league scouts this summer drooled over his upside as a 6-foot-8
lefthander on the mound. Schoolcraft made Baseball America’s 2024 high school
showcase all star team after striking out four of the seven batters he faced at
the Area Code Games, while sitting 94 mph and touching 96. Schoolcraft pairs a
low-80s changeup and a low-80s slider with his fastball.
As a hitter, Schoolcraft has massive power upside with a
long-limbed swing that one day could generate 70-grade juice as well as
standout defensive actions around the first base bag and a frame that will
present infielders an easy target.
While he could garner some Bryce Eldridge and Spencer Jones
comparisons for his size, two-way ability and power upside, there are some
scouts who view him more in the Cam Caminiti two-way mold where his lefthanded
talent on the mound is simply too much to entertain hitting for much longer.
While it’s uncommon for recruits of Schoolcraft’s caliber to
make it to campus, it does still happen from time to time, and his decision to
commit to the Vols and potentially head across the country from Oregon to
Tennessee makes it clear Tony Vitello’s championship program isn’t going
anywhere.
High school pitchers of first-round caliber seem more likely
to slide out of the draft and reach campus than hitters of a similar talent,
with names like William Schmidt (2024 No. 22), Jack Leiter (2019 No. 21) and
Kumar Rocker (2018 No. 13) being a few notable examples. If Schoolcraft were to
maintain his current No. 9 ranking through the draft and reach campus at
Tennessee, he would top Rocker as the highest-ranked high schooler to reach
campus since BA started college recruiting rankings.
9. Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP/1B, Sunset (OR) HS (Uncommitted)
Schoolcraft has yet to commit to a college program, and he
reclassified last year to join the 2025 class. The 6’8 lefty has immense
potential, hitting upper 90s with his fastball and a strong slider from the
left side as well.
Pitching isn’t Schoolcraft’s only area of expertise, as he
also has a strong bat with power potential at first base. With two-way
potential, and standalone potential on the mound, Schoolcraft could becomea
favorite during the 2025 MLB Draft process.
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