Kruz Schoolcraft: Top 2025 MLB Draft Prospect Commits To Tennessee
Image credit: LHP Kruz Schoolcraft (Photo by Bill Mitchell)
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.
