When it comes to prospects and awards for each MLB season, the MLB Pipeline Executive Poll is considered state of the art. It usually correctly identifies the Rookie of the Year winner every year, and the questions in the poll provide an accurate snapshot of what different executives think of each other’s farm system.
So why is this important for the San Diego Padres? Because San Diego’s top pitching prospect, Kruz Schoolcraft, was prominently mentioned in the responses to a couple of questions, according to Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com
The first question was the most underrated prospect. This is somewhat unusual, given that Padres GM A.J. Preller tends to be big on talking up and trading his prospects. Schoolcraft was one of several who received 4.9 percent of the votes, although he was one of eight prospects who ended up trailing leaders Kane Kepley, center fielder for the Chicago Cubs, and Ryan Waldschmidt, an outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The second question in which Schoolcraft was mentioned is even more promising when combined with the first. Schoolcraft was the leader when executives were asked who the breakout prospect of the year will be, and he received 14 percent of the vote. That’s over twice as much as the next two prospects, outfielder Edward Florentino of the Pirates and infielder Sal Stewart of the Reds, both of whom got seven percent.
So who is Schoolcraft and what does his future hold?
He’s an unusual prospect for several reasons. One is his sheer size—Schoolraft is 6’8”, 230 pounds, which means he’s coming downhill at hitters almost as soon as he goes into his delivery. Schoolcraft is out of Oregon, Beaverton specifically, and his fast ball already sits in the low 90s, which is exceptional given that he’s still a prep-school arm.
But Schoolcraft has already made his professional debut. He appeared in Single A for the Lake Elsinore Storm and struck out four hitters in his first 1-2/3 hitters, showing off hi considerable potential. He did get hit around in his early appearances, but given his youth and experience that’s expected.
Schoolcraft will be on a very limited innings count while the Padres build up his arm strength, but he’ll be closely watched given how prone Preller is to trading off prospects. With the team up for sale, no one has any idea what deals Preller will be authorized to make, but for now the projection is that Schoolcraft stays in the system as a possible mid-rotation starter.