There were multiple mock drafts published in the last week before the draft that projected the Friars taking a position player in the first round. The 2025 draft featured multiple high profile college pitchers and just as many high school shortstops. The last college pitcher taken by the Padres was Cal Quantrill in 2016 so the smart money was on a position player, especially since the organization historically prefers high school players.

1st Round (#25)

They found a way to stay consistent with their past history of drafting high school pitchers by choosing left-handed Kruz Schoolcraft out of Sunset High School in Portland, Oregon.

At 6’8’’ and 229 lbs, the 18-year-old is considered the top high school pitcher in the draft. He was profiled on MLB Pipeline as the #19 draft prospect and wasn’t projected to still be on the board with this pick. He is also a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year. In his senior year he threw 40 innings with a 0.53 ERA and 82 strikeouts. His fastball regularly hits 97 mph and he has a plus slider and good changeup. He features plus control at this point in his career.

3rd Round (#99)

With their third round pick (the Padres lost their second round pick when they signed Nick Pivetta in the offseason) the organization choose outfielder Ryan Wideman out of Western Kentucky. Born in Spain while his dad played pro basketball, Wideman has plus raw power, and plus plus speed. He could stick at center field but the question is about his plate discipline so development will be key.

4th Round (#130)

The first round of the second day of the draft saw the Padres take another hard throwing pitcher with right-hander Michael Salina out of St. Bonaventure, NY. He will begin his career on rehab after having Tommy John surgery during his junior season. Before surgery he featured a 100 mph fastball, a plus slider and a solid changeup. He also showed good command of his pitches.

5th Round (#160)

Catcher Ty Harvey was selected in the second round of the second day. A right-handed hitter, he is considered the best high school catcher in the draft. He is a powerful hitter and is considered a good all-around player who should stay at catcher.

6th Round (#190)

Right-handed pitcher Jaxon Dalena was the Padres pick in the sixth round. He is considered one of the best Division II pitchers for the past couple seasons. He was mentored by Hall of Fame Mike Mussina, who lives in the same town. In his last two seasons he had a 2.52 and 3.36 ERA.

7th Round (#220)

Kerrington Cross was a Big 12 player of the year in his senior season. The University of Cincinnati third baseman hit .396 and had an OBP of .526. MLB Pipeline noted he might need to move to first base but has plus makeup.

8th Round (#250)

A left-handed pitcher out of the University of Oklahoma, James Hitt has a fastball and cutter mix. He had a 3.82 ERA his senior year and then a 1.93 ERA in the Draft league.

9th Round (#280)

Another right-handed college pitcher was taken in this round with Will Koger, a projected reliever, who features a high 90’s fastball and plus slider.

10th Round (#310)

A college shortstop was taken at the halfway point in the draft. A right-handed hitter, Justin De Criscio played for three seasons at USD then transferred to NC State for his senior year. He has a good glove and features plate discipline.

11th through 20th Rounds

11. Truitt Madonna is a righty high school catcher with a .872 OPS in the Draft league.

12. George Bilecki is a lefty outfielder out of Lewis University that had a .356 average and .797 OPS with 23 homers in his junior season.

13. Dylan Grego is a switch-hitting shortstop out of Ball University with some power potential. He had 14 homers and 14 steals in his junior year.

14. Clay Edmondson, a collegiate RHP, made 13 starts in his junior season and posted a 2.20 ERA with 87 strikeouts over 81.2 innings.

15. Ryan Reed is a left-handed pitcher out of Pittsburgh with a 5-4 record and 5.01 ERA in 73.2 innings with 67 strikeouts for his junior season.

16. Outfielder Cardell Thibodeaux is a lefty and at 5-8 and 175 lbs. He had 18 homers and slugged .847 with 24 stolen bases in his junior season for Southern Louisiana.

17. RHP Tyler Schmitt is a junior out of Illinois. He had a 5-2 record and a 4.80 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 80.2 innings pitched.

18. RHP Landry Jurecka is a senior out of Queens University of Charlotte. He had a 3.21 ERA with 88 strikeouts and 20 walks in 84 innings.

19. Collegiate shortstop Jonathan Vastine bats left and throws right with some power and speed.

20. First baseman Luke Cantwell bats left and throws right with a .320 average and .992 OPS.

(Players stats from MLB.com and Jeff Saunders of the San Diego Union Tribune)