SAN DIEGO — With the 25th pick of the 2025 MLB Draft the San Diego Padres select left-handed pitcher Kruz Schoolcraft out of Sunset High School in Oregon. 

“It’s a great honor,” said Schoolcraft. “It’s the start of a new chapter, I’m excited to get after it.”

Schoolcraft is 18 years-old and is a unit at 6’8, 229 pounds. He tops off at 97 mph with his fastball and throws a tight slider that sits in the low 80s. He also throws a changeup, which is arguably his best pitch. 

“Very focused, extreme hard worker. His routines are dialed,” said Vice President of Amateur and International Scouting Chris Kemp. “One of the smartest players I’ve scouted in the last few years being with San Diego.”

The left-handed flamethrower totaled 54 innings and only allowed three total runs. He has good command, striking out 96 hitters with only 16 walks.

“When I’m on the mound, I want to beat the guy that’s hitting. I want to play for my teammates. I just want to win,” said Schoolcraft.

Schoolcraft was a two-time Gatorade player of the year in Oregon, but credits winning a state championship as his biggest accomplishment thus far. 

“Sometimes you talk to some of the draft prospects and they get hung up on their own individual situations,” said General Manager A.J. Preller. “The most important thing for him was winning a state championship with his team.”

Schoolcraft got to work with Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and future hall of famer Max Scherzer this offseason to help develop his game. Schoolcraft credits hard work and facing adversity for helping put him in the position he is now.

“Growing up, I was kind of a late bloomer. I had to learn how to fail,” said Schoolcraft. “Always being the underdog is something that has motivated me and made me the person I am today.”

Schoolcraft is also a legitimate two-way player who slashed .482/637/.906 in high school. He has a chance to be an above-average bat at the professional level.

“I want to hit as long as I can, but I want to be a big-leaguer as long as I can and as fast as I can,” said Schoolcraft. “Whatever I can do to get there, that’s the path I’ll take.”

Schoolcraft was committed to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

“I want to learn and develop and become to best player I can be and help win a World Series,” said Schoolcraft.