In just a few short months, the Boston Red Sox, with the 15th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, will add to their farm system.
The Red Sox's farm system has improved drastically in recent years, thanks to Chaim Bloom and Craig Breslow's draft choices. There are still some deficiencies in the prospect pool, though, and we're here to find some of the best players to address them.
In this weekly series, we'll analyze some of the top draft prospects and why the Red Sox should or shouldn't draft them.
Fenway Futures: Should the Red Sox draft Kruz Schoolcraft in 2025?
Kruz Schoolcraft, Sunset HS (OR)
The left-handed high school pitcher from Oregon, who is projected to be the eighth pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, could fill the Red Sox’s need for left-handed pitching. The Tennessee commit, who also plays first base, could be a real two-way threat. If the Red Sox were to trade up for Schoolcraft, they would primarily need him on the mound.
Schoolcraft is the second left-handed pitcher available after Florida State’s Jamie Arnold. He reaches up to 97 mph on his fastball and has a strong changeup. The 2024 Gatorade Player of the Year recorded 146 strikeouts and posted a 0.39 ERA last season while compiling a 28-3 record on the mound.
The 6-foot-8 two-way player was equally impressive at the plate, batting .506 with 14 doubles, seven home runs, and 30 RBIs. Analysts and scouts describe him as a true two-way threat with great power and defensive skills.
How would he fit on the Red Sox?
With Triston Casas holding the indefinite starting role at first base and both being left-handed batters in an already lefty-dominated lineup, there isn’t a clear path for Schoolcraft to take over. Where he could make an impact, however, is if the Red Sox focus on developing his pitching.
While the Red Sox recently traded for left-hander Garrett Crochet, their pitching staff remains right-hand heavy. Adding a young lefty pitcher to develop could help address their ongoing struggles on the mound. The Red Sox have not drafted a starting pitcher in the first round of the MLB draft since they chose Tanner Houck in 2017.
With a history of struggling to develop starting pitchers and with little use for Schoolcraft at first base, it's highly unlikely the Red Sox would trade up. The Red Sox are buying into their young talent to carry the franchise in the upcoming years, even if it means missing out on a young, dominant lefty arm.