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Padres first-round pick torn between the mound and the batter’s box

Kruz Schoolcraft still wants to hit, but the Padres are firm in their belief that his future — and fastest path to the majors remains on the mound.

Division Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v San Diego Padres - Game 3 | Sean M. Haffey/GettyImages

The San Diego Padres didn’t just make a splash with their first-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft — they dove headfirst into one of the more fascinating player dilemmas in recent memory.

With the 25th overall selection, the Padres landed towering 6-foot-8 two-way player Kruz Schoolcraft, a high school standout with an arsenal of electric pitches and legitimate pop in his bat.