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Showing posts with label Draft INF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Draft INF. Show all posts
7/6/25
2025 Draft Prospect - #6 - SS - Kayson Cunningham - Johnson HS (TX)
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/ -
#6 Kayson Cunningham
SS Johnson (TX)
18/years old
5' 9" 170
COMMITTED - Texas
Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 |
Field: 55 | Overall: 55
A slightly bigger and lefty-swinging version of Jett
Williams, a Texas prep shortstop who went 14th overall to the Mets in 2022,
Cunningham is a better pure hitter at the same stage and perhaps the best in
the 2025 prep class. He led Team USA with a .417 average at an 18-and-under
World Cup qualifier in Panama last August.
Cunningham has exceptional barrel control and rarely swings
and misses. He has a mature approach, covers the entire strike zone and
utilizes the entire field. Though he's not physical, his bat speed and ability
to repeatedly barrel balls should allow him to get to 15-20 homers per season.
Cunningham has plus speed and plays with a lot of energy on
the bases and in the field. He has good actions and solid to plus arm strength
at shortstop, giving him a good chance to remain at the position. He'll be 19
on Draft Day and eligible as a sophomore in 2027 if he attends Texas.
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/
15. Boston Red Sox: Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson High
School (Texas)
The Boston Red Sox will soon have three prospects graduating
to the big leagues in Kristian Campbell, Roman Anthony, and Marcelo Mayer, and traded
two others away in Kyle Teel and 2024 first-rounder Braden Montgomery as part
of the Garrett Crochet trade. To build back up their farm system, the Red Sox
should take the top prep shortstop outside of Ethan Holliday in Kayson
Cunningham. According to Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter, Cunningham has a 60-hit
and 60-speed profile while his “plus defensive tools give him the potential to
be an offensive catalyst and a defensive cornerstone.”
2-25-25 - 2025 MLB Draft: A closer look at the top 20 high
school prospects entering the spring
3. Kayson Cunningham, SS, San Antonio
Some scouts rate Cunningham as the best pure hitter in the
draft, despite his small size. He makes consistent contact from the left side
of the plate and rarely strikes out. He might not develop more than gap power,
but he’s also a good runner who should stick in the middle infield.
2-15-25 –
CBS Sports - 2025 MLB Draft prospect rankings
6. Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson HS (TX)
The quick hook: Up-the-middle player with offensive promise
Whereas Willits will have youth working in his favor come
draft night, Cunningham's relative seniority (he'll turn 19 in late June) may
cost him ground if the three prep shortstops remain neck and neck heading down
the stretch. Make no mistake, though. He's still an enticing prospect with
top-five potential. In the recent past, teams have been OK taking older prep
shortstops if they believe in their skill sets: the Diamondbacks still have
reason to think Jordan Lawlar can validate their faith, and the Royals surely
don't regret plucking Bobby Witt Jr. Cunningham won't reach Witt's heights, but
his mature left-handed operation allows him to control the barrel and the zone
alike, resulting in some plus hit tool projections. Scouts were more split on
his future at shortstop, though they all agreed he ought to remain at an
up-the-middle position. It seems unlikely, then, that Cunningham will find
himself honoring his commitment to Texas.
1-28-25 –
MLB 2025 Mock Draft 2.0: Predictions for Every 1st-Round Pick
8. Toronto Blue Jays: SS Kayson Cunningham, Johnson HS (TX)
Cunningham is the top prep shortstop in the 2025 class not
named Ethan Holliday, and his 60-hit, 60-speed profile and plus defensive tools
give him the potential to be an offensive catalyst and a defensive cornerstone.
His undersized 5'9", 170-pound frame and pure hitting skills have drawn
comparisons to New York Mets prospect Jett Williams.
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
10. Kayson Cunningham,
SS, Johnson HS, San Antonio
Smaller stature guy, but that hasn’t scared teams away in the
past who show Kayson’s ability to stick up the middle on the dirt long term.
Has an excellent defensive profile with quick feet and solid glove work. There
is a quality hit tool here as well, albeit with light power, but players who
have a chance to play SS don’t last long on the board.
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/
6. Kayson Cunningham – SS
HT/WT: 5’10/178 | Bat/Throw: L/R | School: Johnson (TX) |
Commitment: Texas | Age: 19
Despite the smaller stature that Cunningham possesses, he has
a case for having the best pure contact hitter in the entire prep class.
Cunningham covers the zone exceptionally well, keeping the whiffs and chases at
bay.
It’s a smooth, direct left-handed swing with a good bit of
bat speed and an all-fields approach at the dish. The hit tool projects as a
plus or better tool with contact rates over 90% over the summer.
There is some pop in the bat, mainly to the pull side and
he’ll work the gaps for extra bases, but his swing is more suited for line
drives right now. He should add some lift to his swing in due time, but he’ll
profile best as a hit-over-power type.
Cunningham is a plus runner underway and has good range at
shortstop with smooth hands and a strong arm. There’s a chance he could move to
the other side of the second base bag, but it’s hard to envision him leaving
the dirt up the middle. Cunningham flipped from Texas Tech to Texas over the
summer and will be eligible as a sophomore in 2027.
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
Kayson Cunningham
A left-handed, undersized shortstop from Texas, Kayson
Cunningham is one of the best pure hitters in the entire draft class. MLB
Pipeline has him ranked as their second-best prep hitter in the class and
third-best overall (Holliday and Seth Hernandez).
Due to his size, he received a ‘left-handed’ version of Jett
Williams comparison, but he is considered a better hitter at this point in the
draft process. Defensively, he has the tools to play shortstop but may end up
at second long-term.
He would be a draft-eligible sophomore, so that does give him
some leverage, but there are teams out there that don’t necessarily mind taking
the ‘older’ prep kids in the draft at this point.
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 -
6. SS Kayson Cunningham, Johnson (TX)
Height: 5’10
Weight: 178
b/t: L/R
Draft Day Age: 19 YR
Commitment: Texas
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Despite the smaller stature that Cunningham possesses, he has
a case for having the best pure contact hitter in the entire prep class.
Cunningham covers the zone exceptionally well, keeping the whiffs and chases at
bay. It's a smooth, direct left-handed swing with a good bit of bat speed and
an all-fields approach at the dish. The hit tool projects as a plus or better
tool with contact rates over 90% over the summer. There is some pop in the bat,
mainly to the pull side and he'll work the gaps for extra bases, but his swing
is more suited for line drives right now. He should add some lift to his swing
in due time, but he'll profile best as a hit-over-power type. Cunningham is a
plus runner underway and has good range at shortstop with smooth hands and a strong
arm. There's a chance he could move to the other side of the second base bag,
but it's hard to envision him leaving the dirt up the middle. Cunningham
flipped from Texas Tech to Texas over the summer and will be eligible as a
sophomore in 2027.
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/
6. Pittsburgh Pirates: Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson HS (TX)
Cunningham will stay at shortstop and the 5-9, 170 pounder
can really hit. He also possesses plus speed. The Piartes could also take Seth
Hernandez; the best prep pitcher in the 2025 class.
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 –
6. Pirates: Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson HS, San Antonio
(No. 6)
A slightly bigger and lefty-swinging version of Jett
Williams, a Texas prep shortstop who went 14th overall in 2022, Cunningham is a
better pure hitter at the same stage and perhaps the best in this prep class.
10/6/24 - 2025 Draft Prospect - top 20 high school prospects
for the '25 Draft
5. Kayson Cunningham, SS, Lady Bird Johnson HS (Texas)
A super high-energy player, Cunningham has hit pretty much
everywhere he’s been, including slashing .417/.483/.542 with 12 RBIs for Team
USA during its 18U qualifier and picking up a pair of hits with three steals in
MLB’s High School All-American Game. He has excellent barrel control and makes
a ton of contact with gap power right now. He’s not the biggest guy in the
world at 5-foot-9, but he has the hands and actions for shortstop, though some
see a future at second base for the Texas recruit.
2025 Draft Prospect - #7 - 2B - Aiva Arquette - Oregon State
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/ -
7 Aiva Arquette
2B Oregon State
21/years old
6' 4" 220
DRAFTED - 2022, 18th (528) - ARI
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 |
Field: 55 | Overall: 55
As a Hawaiian prep standout, Arquette’s athleticism -- he
also played basketball in high school -- stood out on the summer showcase
circuit, and he landed in MLB Pipeline’s Top 250. The D-backs took him in Round
18 of the 2022 Draft, but he headed to the University of Washington. After
playing sparingly with the Huskies as a freshman, he earned all-Pac 12 honors
after finishing with a .959 OPS as a sophomore. Over the summer, the infielder
entered the transfer portal, played well in the Cape Cod League and transferred
to Oregon State for his junior season
Scouts see the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Arquette as the best
college player in the Pacific Northwest this year -- and one of the best
college hitters in the country. While minor wrist surgery cut into his fall
with his new school, the right-handed hitter showed he has easy raw power to
tap into, with more to come. He routinely barrels the ball with good bat speed
and a fluid swing, giving him the chance to be an above-average hitter with
above-average power, and he could hit 20-25 homers annually as a big leaguer.
While Arquette is an average runner and played second base at
Washington, he showed on the Cape that he should have the chops to play
shortstop long-term, with easy actions, soft hands and more than enough arm
with carry at every angle across the diamond. College bats with pop at a
premium position are always a hot commodity, so Arquette should get plenty of
attention in the first round.
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/
10. Chicago White Sox: Aiva Arquette, IF, Oregon State
The Chicago White Sox farm system is improving with a few top
prospects on track to make their MLB debuts this season or in 2026. Aligning
closer to that timeline, Aiva Arquette also provides tools the organization can
feel confident in getting him to the majors. The Oregon State shortstop,
standing at 6-foot-5, has below-average power relative to his size, but the hit
tool, arm strength and range are all ‘plus’ skills. He might he a better second
baseman than a shortstop, but he could have a lengthy career at either spot,
especially with his makeup.
Aiva Arquette stats (2024): .325/.384/.574, .959 OPS, 12 home
runs, 14 doubles, 6 steals
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. 14 Tampa Bay Rays: Aiva Arquette, IF, Oregon State
Baseball
One of the best transfers in the country after starring for
Washington last year, Arquette takes over for 2024 No. 1 pick Travis Bazzana at
second base, though he has played more shortstop.
Arquette hit .325/.384/.574 last year for the Huskies.
He’s certainly not your typical middle infielder, at least
not 2B, as he’s 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds.
1-28-25 –
MLB 2025 Mock Draft 2.0: Predictions for Every 1st-Round Pick
14. Tampa Bay Rays: 2B Aiva Arquette, Oregon State
Arquette tallied just 56 plate appearances as a freshman but
broke out last spring when he hit .325/.384/.574 with 14 doubles, 12 home runs
and 36 RBI in 48 games. He played well in the Cape Cod League after entering
the transfer portal and ended up landing at Oregon State where he will replace
Travis Bazzana at second base. With a 6'5", 220-pound frame and 55-grade
power, he is not the prototypical second baseman, though he has the defensive
tools to stick up the middle and perhaps even handle shortstop.
1-23-25 –
2025 MLB Draft Deep Dive: Aiva Arquette
https://www.justbaseball.com/college/2025-mlb-draft-deep-dive-aiva-arquette/?s=03
As a freshman at Washington, Arquette showed flashes of the
offensive upside his profile promised. He launched five home runs in just 15
games in an injury impacted season, before taking off in his breakout sophomore
season.
In 2024, Arquette put up an impressive first full season as a
starter. Primarily playing at second base, he hit .325/.384/.574 (.959) with 12
home runs (27 extra-base hits), 17 walks, and 40 strikeouts in 48 games.
Digging under the hood of his college data, we see a well-rounded offensive
profile in which he does a little bit of everything well.
Arquette hits from the right side. Fairly upright with a
slightly open front foot and a shoulder high hand set, Arquette leverages a leg
lift and stride in his swing. He’ll manipulate the height of both in counts
where the pitcher has leverage. Since his prep career, he’s cut down on some of
the noise in his pre-swing movement. The whole operation now looks fairly
quiet.
1-22-25 –
Just Baseball: 2025 MLB Draft – Top 80 College Prospects
https://www.justbaseball.com/college/mlb-draft-top-college-prospects/?s=03
5. Aiva Arquette – SS
HT/WT: 6’5/220 | Bat/Throw: R/R | School: Oregon State | Age:
21.8
Born in the same town as former New York Met Sid Fernandez,
Arquette made the trek to the West Coast and flourished in his sophomore
campaign for the Washington Huskies, slashing .325/.384/.574 with 27 extra-base
hits.
With Jason Kelly returning to the SEC, Arquette went south to
Oregon State, where he’ll suit up for Mitch Canham’s group in 2025. Arquette’s
tall and projectable frame stands out on film and while he’s played shortstop
recently, he fits better at third base long-term, where range, strong arm, and
instincts will play.
Offensively, there’s not a ton of warts. Arquette’s feel to
consistently backspin the baseball to all fields is impressive and the overall
power profile is robust, recording an average exit velocity of 93 MPH with a
maximum of 112.9 MPH.
That will come down a tick in pro ball, but it’s every bit of
above-average to plus pop. The contact skills are strong too, handling velocity
and spin well. He does get overly anxious and is in no rush to take a free
base, something that scouts want to see ironed out in 2025.
Overall, it’s a potentially robust offensive profile with the
defensive chops to handle the hot corner.
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
17. Aiva Arquette, 2B,
Oregon State
Big body frame who has shown an ability to play multiple
infield positions. There is solid power and bat-to-ball skills here. The
Washington transfer shows a lot of promise if he can continue to hit and show
more power.
1-8-25 –
2025 MLB Draft: Preseason Top 75 Collegiate Prospects —
Prospects Live
7. SS/3B Aiva Arquette, Oregon State
Height: 6’4
Weight: 220
B/T: R/R
Draft Day Age: 21 YR 8 MO
Hometown: Kailua, HI
Born in the same town as former New York Met Sid Fernandez,
Arquette made the trek to the West Coast and flourished in his sophomore
campaign for the Washington Huskies, slashing .325/.384/.574 with 27 extra-base
hits. With Jason Kelly returning to the SEC, Arquette went south to Oregon
State, where he'll suit up for Mitch Canham's group in 2025. Arquette's tall
and projectable frame stands out on film and while he's played shortstop
recently, he fits better at third base long term, where range, strong arm, and
instincts will play. Offensively, there's not a ton of warts. Arquette's feel
to consistently backspin the baseball to all fields is impressive and the
overall power profile is robust, recording an average exit velocity of 93 MPH
with a maximum of 112.9 MPH. That will come down a tick in pro ball, but it's
every bit of above-average to plus pop. The contact skills are strong too,
handling velocity and spin well. He does get overly anxious and is in no rush
to take a free base, something that scouts want to see ironed out in 2025.
Overall, it's a potentially robust offensive profile with the defensive chops
to handle the hot corner.
December 23, 2024
Top 50 college baseball prospects for 2025 MLB draft, per
D1Baseball
6 Aiva Arquette SS
Oregon State
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 –
12. Rangers: Aiva Arquette, 2B, Oregon State (No. 7)
The most prominent transfer in the Draft, Arquette moved from
Washington to Oregon State and engenders some comps to D.J. LeMahieu but with
more pop.
4. Colorado Rockies
Aiva Arquette, SS — Oregon State
HOMETOWN: Honolulu, Hawaii
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 220
BAT/THROW: R-R
Arquette’s bat took mammoth strides during his sophomore year
and now represents one of the most complete sticks in the country. There are
bat-to-ball skills and huge exit velocities, both of which were shown off on
the Cape too. Arquette has a steady approach and a willingness to use right
field, a rare trait for players his size.
If there’s one nitpicking trait scouts would like to see
Arquette improve as the Draft nears, it would be his patience at the plate,
specifically late in counts. He’s in no rush to take walks. Still, that’s a
rather minor wart on a scouting report covered with above-average tools
throughout.
Fitting the Rockies land a player being compared to Troy
Tulowitzki.
10/20/24 - 2025 MLB Draft Top 75 Collegiate Prospects:
Conference Breakdowns
SS Aiva Arquette - Oregon State
Prospects Live Ranking: #7
Arquette, a standout from Saint Louis High School and a
rising star in college baseball, has captured the attention of scouts for his
performance at the University of Washington and in the Cape Cod League. He’s
been a massive get for Oregon State in this years transfer portal. He has been
one of the biggest risers in the college ranks. Arquette is a huge physical
presence at shortstop at 6’4, 220lbs adding another name to the “tall
shortstops” category. Given his size and stature, he could move to third base
in the future as he gains more physicality.
His offensive game saw major strides in his sophomore season, showcasing
a balanced approach, impressive exit velocities, and the ability to hit to all
fields. He’s got imense raw power, especially to the opposite field, but his
patience at the plate needs some more development as he can get a tad
aggressive. Regardless, there are a ton of tools to dream on and a solid season
at Oregon State will likely have his name being called super early in the 2025
MLB Draft.
9/29/24 - Prospect Live: 2025 MLB Draft: Top 75 Collegiate
Prospects
7. SS/3B Aiva Arquette, Oregon State
Height: 6’4
Weight: 220
B/T: R/R
Draft Day Age: 21 YR 8 MO
Hometown: Kailua, HI
Born in the same town as former New York Met Sid Fernandez,
Arquette made the trek to the West Coast and flourished in his sophomore
campaign for the Washington Huskies, slashing .325/.384/.574 with 27 extra-base
hits.
With Jason Kelly returning to the SEC, Arquette went south to
Oregon State, where he'll suit up for Mitch Canham's group in 2025. Arquette's
tall and projectable frame stands out on film and while he's played shortstop
recently, he fits better at third base long term, where range, strong arm, and
instincts will play. Offensively, there's not a ton of warts.
Arquette's feel to consistently backspin the baseball to all
fields is impressive and the overall power profile is robust, recording an
average exit velocity of 93 MPH with a maximum of 112.9 MPH. That will come
down a tick in pro ball, but it's every bit of above-average to plus pop. The
contact skills are strong too, handling velocity and spin well. He does get
overly anxious and is in no rush to take a free base, something that scouts
want to see ironed out in 2025.
Overall, it's a potentially robust offensive profile with the
defensive chops to handle the hot corner.
9/29/24 - 20 college prospects for the '25 Draft
8. Aiva Arquette, 2B, Oregon State
The highest-ranked transfer on this list, Arquette batted
.325/.384/.574 with 12 homers as a second baseman last season at Washington and
earns DJ LeMahieu comps for his 6-foot-4 build and hitting ability. A Cape
All-Star as a shortstop, he laces line drives to all fields, could hit 20 or
more homers per season and may fit best at third base with his average speed
and solid arm.
7. Aiva Arquette, 2B, Oregon State
Arquette is changing teams this year, as he played the first
two seasons of his collegiate career at Washington. He hit the NCAA transfer
portal after the 2024 season and committed to Oregon State, and he’s a big
addition as the Beavers look to offset the loss of Travis Bazzana, the first
pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Arquette hit .244 with five home runs as a freshman at
Washington, but took an enormous leap in 2024 by hitting .325 with 12 home
runs. He struck out just 40 times in 229 plate appearances, slugging .574 with
a .959 OPS. He has played primarily at second base in college, but could end up
as a shortstop down the road.
https://www.mlb.com/prospects/2025/draft/ -
2025 Draft Prospect - #7 – 2B - Aiva Arquette - Oregon
State
21/years old
6' 4" 220
DRAFTED - 2022, 18th (528) – AR IZONA
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm:
60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55
As a Hawaiian prep standout, Arquette’s athleticism --
he also played basketball in high school -- stood out on the summer showcase
circuit, and he landed in MLB Pipeline’s Top 250. The D-backs took him in Round
18 of the 2022 Draft, but he headed to the University of Washington. After
playing sparingly with the Huskies as a freshman, he earned all-Pac 12 honors
after finishing with a .959 OPS as a sophomore. Over the summer, the infielder
entered the transfer portal, played well in the Cape Cod League and transferred
to Oregon State for his junior season.
Scouts see the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Arquette as the
best college player in the Pacific Northwest this year -- and one of the best
college hitters in the country. While minor wrist surgery cut into his fall
with his new school, the right-handed hitter showed he has easy raw power to
tap into, with more to come. He routinely barrels the ball with good bat speed
and a fluid swing, giving him the chance to be an above-average hitter with
above-average power, and he could hit 20-25 homers annually as a big leaguer.
While Arquette is an average runner and played second
base at Washington, he showed on the Cape that he should have the chops to play
shortstop long-term, with easy actions, soft hands and more than enough arm
with carry at every angle across the diamond. College bats with pop at a
premium position are always a hot commodity, so Arquette should get plenty of
attention in the first round.
Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB
Oregon State SS Aiva Arquette is my No. 4 ranked
prospect in the 2025 MLB Draft over at @FSS_PLUS. Blessed with size,
physicality and nimble actions on the dirt, he's got a chance to develop into a
rare middle-of-the-order SS at the next level.
link –
INF AIVA ARQUETTE (WASHINGTON TO OREGON STATE)
The Washington Huskies saw many players enter the
portal, with Head Coach Jason Kelly leaving for Texas A&M. Arquette was
definitely one of the top players to leave the Huskies and a massive get for
Oregon State. Arquette put on a show in his second year with the Huskies,
showcasing a solid combination of power and bat-to-ball skills at the plate. He
continued that this summer in the Cape Cod League, where he slashed
.291/.357/.437 with a .793 OPS. Most of his power came pull side, but he did
showcase the ability to drive the ball the other way as he hit about five home
runs to centerfield or right. Arquette also has incredible plate coverage and
does a fantastic job getting balls down and away. He can sometimes be
aggressive, which leads to increased chase rates. Defensively, he plays a good
second base, but given his 6’4, 220lb frame, there is a good chance he will
make his way to the hot corner in the long term. In the Cape, he played most of
his games at shortstop, with a few at third base. He’s definitely one to watch
in 2025, as his already solid toolset and projection could have him
skyrocketing.
link - Aiva
Arquette Position Infield
Bats/Throws R/R
Height 6-4
Weight 220
Class Sophomore
Hometown Kailua, Hawai'i
High School Saint Louis
2024 (Sophomore)
Earned a spot on the All-Pac-12 Team and the Pac-12
All-Defense Team
Appeared in and started 48 games, primarily at second
base
Led the Huskies and ranked 11th in the Pac-12 in
batting average (.325) and slugging percentage (.574)
Team leader with 68 hits and 45 runs scored, also
driving in 36 runs
Registered UW’s longest reached base (23) and hitting
(17) streaks
Also paced UW in extra base hits on 14 doubles, 12
home runs and one triple
Drew 17 walks and three HBP’s to post a .384 OBP
6-for-9 on steal attempts
Committed just six errors on 231 chances for a .974
fielding percentage
Part of 28 double plays turned by the Huskies
Went 3-for-4 with a pair of homers and three RBIs vs.
Washington State (3/29)
Hit safely in 7-of-14 at bats with two round trippers
and five RBIs in the series win over Arizona (4/26-28)
Went 3-for-5 with four runs scored at Arizona State
(5/5)
link – Aiva
Arquette (2022, Kailua, Hawaii) offers present power and excellent projection
from his 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame. He stays under control at the plate and
employs a simple but powerful stroke. The infielder has hit .400 this year in
PG tournaments.
2025 Draft Prospect - #8 - 3B - Xavier Neyens - Mount Vernon HS (WA)
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/ -
#8 Xavier Neyens
3B Mount Vernon
(WA)
18/years old
6' 4" 200
COMMITTED - Oregon State
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 65 | Run: 45 | Arm: 60 |
Field: 50 | Overall: 55
There have been nine high school hitters to be drafted in the
first round and signed out of the state of Washington in the history of the
Draft, the best of which came in 2019 in the form of Corbin Carroll. Long known
for his bat, Neyens’ increase in power has helped him make the jump to a
top-level prospect, one who was extremely busy on the summer showcase circuit,
playing in events including MLB’s High School All-American Game and the Area
Code Games.
Neyens has long been seen by area scouts as a potentially
elite hitter from the left side of the plate with an outstanding approach. He
made some adjustments to his setup and swing, adding leverage and starting to
show off at least plus raw power and the ability to not only get to it, but to
do so to all fields. There was some concern about the increase in his
swing-and-miss rate as the summer progressed, though some scouts who know him
well think he was gassed after playing what one evaluator estimated was well
over 100 games during the summer.
While he’s not a runner, the 6-foot-4 Neyens is athletic with
a solid chance to stick at third despite his size. The Oregon State recruit’s
arm certainly plays from the hot corner, showing the ability to fire fastballs
up to 95 mph from the mound, leading to comparisons as a left-handed-hitting
version of Austin Riley.
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/
6. Pittsburgh Pirates: Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon HS
The 2025 MLB Draft offers a lot of enticing left-handed power
hitters early, including Mount Vernon High School’s Xavier Neyens. He should be
able to have a long career at third base, largely thanks to his arm strength
and sufficient athleticism for the position. What the Pittsburgh Pirates would
really be picking here is Heyens’ light-tower power, with the ceiling to hit
30-plus home runs in his prime years. He is behind some of his peers in terms
of his plate discipline along with major swing-and-miss issues, but the
18-year-old offers All-Star upside.
2-25-25 - 2025 MLB Draft: A closer look at the top 20 high
school prospects entering the spring
4. Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon (Washington)
Neyens is a hefty 6-foo-4 with raw power from the left side
of the plate. He drives the ball to all fields and has arguably the most
long-term home run potential in the class. He’s listed as a third baseman and
projects at one of the corner infield or outfield spots long term.
1-28-25 –
MLB 2025 Mock Draft 2.0: Predictions for Every 1st-Round Pick
5. St. Louis Cardinals: 3B Xavier Neyens, Mount Vernon HS
(WA)
The Cardinals have often targeted prep hitters with loud raw
power early in the draft, and Neyens fits the mold with a strong 6'4",
200-pound frame and a 50-hit, 65-power offensive profile. He has been up to 95
mph with his fastball off the mound and that arm strength plays well at the hot
corner where he should be able to stick long-term.
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/
5. Xavier Neyens – 3B
HT/WT: 6’4/205 | Bat/Throw: L/R | School: Mount Vernon (WA) |
Commitment: Oregon State | Age: 18.8
It’s not too often that the state of Washington is home to
one of the top prospects in the country, but Neyens is putting himself in rare
territory with his tools and performance.
With an advanced approach, top-of-the-scale bat-to-ball
skills, and loud power from the left side, Neyens’ offensive potential is
sky-high. He is rather passive, but Neyens does a good job of staying within
the zone and limiting chases.
The power itself grades out as plus with natural loft and
loud bat speed, playing to all fields. He creates a tight coil with his core
during his load, allowing his body to rotate rapidly and allowing his hands to
explode through the zone.
Against premier pitching, he’s already tattooed baseballs at
110 MPH. It’s loud. Neyens has the tools to stick at the hot corner, though
some scouts express concern about the footwork at the position, as it can get
rather clunky.
With that note out of the way, Neyens has the soft hands and
strong arm to handle the position. If he moves off third base, he’d get a
chance in a corner outfield position. Neyens is currently committed to the West
Coast powerhouse of Oregon State.
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
6. Pittsburgh Pirates: Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon
(Washington)
The Pirates could take Cam Cannarella here if they want a
player who could move through the system quicker. And perhaps they should.
The quintessential small-market team in all of sports has a
ticking clock on a championship window it did nothing to enhance last year when
the team was competitive for two months before cratering.
This team is seemingly refusing to spend money on free agents
this offseason.
1-21-25 –
Joe Doyle @JoeDoyleMiLB
Mount Vernon, WA third baseman Xavier Neyens has been working
out for every team under the sun this month as he prepares for his 2025 season.
Bat speed really stands out. Pretty enormous left-handed
power projection. Potential Top 20 pick in July.
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
Xavier Neyens, 3B
Another left-handed hitting slugger that should land at third
base, Xavier Neyens, has some of the best raw power in the entire draft class.
MLB Pipeline likens him to a left-handed version of Austin
Riley, while there are competing thoughts on whether he can play third base
long-term. He’s a patient hitter who will take walks but does have some
swing-and-miss issues against non-fastballs.
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
11. Xavier Neyens, 3B,
Mount Vernon (Wash.) HS
Big tools from a longer, rangier athletic look. Possesses
high-end power in the bat, but his swing can be a bit long at times, which
caused him to struggle to get to some contact this summer. But the power is
real and he has the tools to be an elite defender at third.
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 -
4. 3B/OF Xavier Neyens, Mount Vernon (WA)
Height: 6’4
Weight: 205
b/t: L/R
Draft Day Age: 18 YR 8 MO
Commitment: Oregon State
Hometown: Mount Vernon, WA
It's not too often that the state of Washington is home to
one of the top prospects in the country, but Neyens is putting himself in rare
territory with his tools and performance. With an advanced approach, top of the
scale bat-to-ball skills, and loud power from the left side, Neyens' offensive
potential is sky-high. He is rather passive, but Neyens does a good job of
staying within the zone and limiting chases. The power itself grades out as
plus with natural loft and loud bat speed, playing to all fields. He creates a
tight coil with his core during his load, allowing his body to rotate rapidly
and allowing his hands to explode through the zone. Against premier pitching,
he's already tattooed baseballs at 110 MPH. It's loud. Neyens has the tools to
stick at the hot corner, though some scouts express concern about the footwork
at the position, as it can get rather clunky. With that note out of the way,
Neyens has the soft hands and strong arm to handle the position. If he moves
off third base, he'd get a chance in a corner outfield position. Neyens is
currently committed to the West Coast powerhouse of Oregon State.
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/
5. St. Louis Cardinals: Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon HS
(WA)
In Chaim Bloom’s first draft as a decision maker, he’s taking
a powerful high school infielder. Neyens is a 6-4, 200 pounder with a great
approach, discipline and power from the lefts side. There’s some swing and miss
in his game but the Oregon State recruit should stay at third base.
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 –
8. Blue Jays: Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon (Wash.) HS (No.
8)
Despite some struggles during the summer, Neyens has the
ingredients to become an All-Star third baseman with huge left-handed power and
a strong arm.
12-10-24 - FSS PLUS:
2025 MLB Mock Draft: So it begins…
https://futurestarsseries.com/2025-mlb-mock-draft/
12. Texas Rangers
Xavier Neyens, 3B — Mount Vernon HS
HOMETOWN: Mount Vernon, Washington
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 205
BAT/THROW: L-R
Whenever you’re picking this high in the draft you need to go
for ceiling and upside. Size, impact, physicality or up-the-middle dynamic
traits are a must. Neyens may have the loudest bat of any prep in the 2025
class. It’s comfortably ‘plus’ power with a baseball card that has pummeled
guys two years older than him on the showcase circuit for a few years now.
His defensive position is still in question, though he’s made
strides at third base and is a good enough athlete to project a potential
average glove at the hot corner. If that doesn’t bore out Neyens has a very
strong arm and could make for an imposing right fielder. Still, you’re buying
the bat here. Neyens has a chance to develop into a guy with 35-plus homer
upside and a left-handed stick to boot.
Everything is bigger in Texas and Neyens’ homers fit the
bill.
8. Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon (WA) HS (Oregon State
commit)
Neyens is another prep bat that MLB scouts are intrigued by.
A good all-around hitter, Neyens has seen an uptick in power that has elevated
him into the top 10 across many MLB Draft boards.
A big-bodied third baseman, Neyens stands at 6’4 with an
intriguing frame, which bodes well for his long-term power at the next level.
He also has a rocket of an arm at the hot corner. Neyens is an Oregon State
commit.
link - 3B/OF Xavier
Neyens, Mount Vernon (WA)
It’s quite easy to start with Xavier Neyens on this list.
Many see Ethan Holliday as the country's consensus number-one overall prep
player, but Neyens is making a ton of noise to take his spot. We caught him at
the MLB All-Star High School Home Run Derby, where he launched absolute nukes
(with loaded bats for the record). It’s a beautiful left-handed swing and just
fun to watch him take hacks. As I mentioned, our Tyler Jennings was at the USA
Complex to catch 18u, and Neyens may have hit the longest wood bat HR from a
prep he’s ever seen. The ball went out at a 108 mph EV and went 440 feet. Those
are some absurd numbers from a prep bat. The tools outside of the power are
elite as well. It’s a very mature approach at the plate with a unique ability
to get barrel-to-ball. On top of that, he’s got a powerful arm, giving you the
hope he can stick at third. He’s committed to Oregon State, but another strong
spring, and he’ll likely be hearing his name called at the top of the MLB
Draft, possibly even 1.1.
Tyler Jennings @TylerJennings24
Xavier Neyens just silenced everyone at the USA Complex.
108 EV/440 feet. Might have been the longest wood bat HR from
a prep I have ever seen.
Legitimate 1.1 case next summer.yler Jennings
link – 2024 National Showcase
Xavier Neyens is a 2025 3B/RHP, SS with a 6-4 205 lb. frame
from Mount Vernon, WA who attends Mount Vernon HS. Very strong, physical player
with significant strength and size with solid athleticism to boot. Primary
third baseman with a fuller arm action and accurate throws. Clean fielding out
in front and the actions to stick at the hot corner long term. Secondary
right-handed pitcher ran the fastball up to 94 mph. Fastball got up to 22"
of IVB and threw from the stretch only. Very good shape and fade to the
changeup. Left-handed hitter with a wide base, high hand set, and a high back
elbow. Excellent bat speed with the ability to generate power to all fields.
Monstrous in game home run to the opposite field gap that traveled over 400
feet at 104 off the bat. Highest level power hitter that can go out to any part
of the park. Great student. Verbal commitment to Oregon State. Selected to play
in the Perfect Game All-American Classic.
https://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/winner/xavier-neyens/40306 -
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound junior shortstop, outfielder and
right-handed pitcher batted .455, scored 34 runs and compiled an OPS of 1.327
this past season, leading the Bulldogs (23-4-1) to a berth in the Class 3A
state championship game. Ranked as the nation’s No. 4 prospect in the Class of
2025 by Perfect Game, Neyens also produced a .615 on-base percentage and stole
16 bases. On the mound, he compiled a 5-0 record with a 0.47 ERA and 37
strikeouts against just five walks in 29.1 innings of work, holding opposing
hitters to a .163 batting average.
“I cannot think of any player I have seen in 27 years of high
school baseball more deserving than Xavier Neyens. He’s absolutely electric in
every facet of the game. He is the most talented kid I've seen in high school
baseball.”
Pat Swapp
Head Coach head coach at Anacortes High
8/11/24 - Sports Gambling Podcast - 2025 Mock Draft
Xavier Neyens is a projectable bat-first profile. He stands
6-4, 205 pounds and with raw power, and has shown a good feel for the barrel
against older competition growing up. Neyens will play a corner infield or
outfield position with a strong arm. He does still have a shot to be a serious
pitching prospect. Neyens lives in the low 90s with a good slider. Ultimately,
the Oregon State commit’s crisp left-handed swing could keep him off the mound
in the pros.
6/29/25
2025 Draft Prospect - #9 - LHP/1B - Kruz Schoolcraft - Sunset HS (OR)
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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