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Post by chinmusic on Oct 25, 2022 11:00:52 GMT -8
The state of Oregon can currently claim the top ranked pitcher nationally in the 2023 class and in the 2026 class. The top Dog in the '23 class is Noble Meyer at Jesuit HS, and the '26 guy is Kruz Schoolcraft, a freshman at Beaverton's Sunset HS.
Meyer is committed to UO but is projected to go very early in the 2023 MLB Draft (a potential first rounder). Schoolcraft is uncommitted but certainly on everyone's radar since he began dazzling recruiters in the 7th grade. Schoolcraft is 15, 6'6" tall and left handed. He has touched 88 mph, locates his fastball in and out, up and down at will and throws two complimentary pitches - a tight 1-7 curve ball and a deceptive change up. He's confident and poised and checks all the boxes for top pitching prospects.
Schoolcraft has had a lot of attention from the recruiting websites, he is a headliner in every tournament he plays in on the travel team circuit. I find it interesting there is little if any recruiting activity mentioned with Kruz. In recent years, Oregon's top hurlers have committed to Oregon State very early - Mick Abel, Paul Wilson, Nelson Keljo, Isaac Hill, Drew Talavs, and Jaren Hunter.
There are two possible reasons Schoolcraft hasn't committed or mentioned any preference to date.
First, he may be looking carefully at a host of offers and may want to visit a few programs before making his call. Perhaps "take your time and make the right choice academically and athletically" might be his family's thinking. Second is a scenario that I have some familiarity with - He's waiting on Stanford. The Cardinal prefer to see 3rd and 4th semester classes/ results prior to offering. If there continues to be "no recruiting buzz" surrounding Kruz this spring, this possibility might be in play.
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Post by pc8080 on Oct 30, 2022 18:39:54 GMT -8
He has not committed but I do not believe OSU will be his destination. Stanford is not in consideration at all.
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Post by chinmusic on Oct 30, 2022 22:49:59 GMT -8
OK, we'll note that. I wonder if he has expressed any interest in any college destinations. He may be dead set on signing out of high school if drafted.
The Stanford scenario seemed to fit but that was speculation at best. I'm glad to hear Stanford isn't in the hunt, their 2026 class is loaded. Three top-50's in addition to two dominant California prep pitchers - see below
Archer Horn, RHP, 6', 165 San Franciso / St. Ignatious HS Class of 2026
Commitment: Stanford
Stanford’s 2026 class is turning into one of the best classes in the country, and it picked up a huge in-state arm in Archer Horn. Horn is a lean, wiry right-hander with an advanced three-pitch mix and followed up a quality spring with an even louder summer against some of the best players in his age group. Fastball has been up to 86 this summer with easy life up in the zone. The changeup is one of the more advanced offerings you can find in the class with serious fade and tumbling action that tunnels off heat. He also has feel for a big depthy curveball with 12-6 depth and bite. Horn’s frame really projects with lots of length left to fill out, and the stuff plays now with more in store. He’s a fiery competitor who already has the makings of a solid mix at his age.
Matthew Maxon, RHP/OF, 6-1, 160 Carmel, CA. HS Class of 2026
Commitment: Stanford
As mentioned above, Stanford is putting together an impressive 2026 class. Just days after Horn committed to Stanford, it got another high quality NorCal arm in Matthew Maxon. Maxon is a three-sport athlete with two-way ability and serious arm talent on the diamond. He made huge strides in his mechanics and quality command this year. His fastball is up to 85 mph and lives low-80s with a downer 11-5 curveball. It’s an easy three-quarter delivery that lands on-line and gets downhill consistently at his age. Maxon’s athleticism really shows on the hill. Maxon has yet to really tap into his high-waisted frame and is a good bet to physically project and the stuff can jump off the page. Maxon has big upside, and Stanford added a pair of dominant in-state arms to get a head start on its 2026 class.
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Post by pc8080 on Feb 16, 2023 7:35:42 GMT -8
He has not committed but I do not believe OSU will be his destination. Stanford is not in consideration at all. Kruz recently went down to a camp with OSU. Seems like it went well and OSU maybe back in the mix. Fingers crossed |
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Post by chinmusic on Feb 16, 2023 20:48:53 GMT -8
Kruz has limitless potential. Big frame, a lefty, 88 mph at 15, command with a 3 pitch mix and an excellent student.
I would love to see him pitch for the Beavers. OSU baseball is a good fit for him.
Perfect Game says he is the best LHP in the nation in the '26 class and the 2nd best overall prospect nationally,
Great kid, big time player.
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Post by kersting13 on Feb 17, 2023 9:27:53 GMT -8
I hope he doesn't have a "1-7" curve as a lefty. Seems like that would be really hard to do. 11-5 maybe?
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Post by pc8080 on Feb 19, 2023 21:54:22 GMT -8
Kruz has limitless potential. Big frame, a lefty, 88 mph at 15, command with a 3 pitch mix and an excellent student. I would love to see him pitch for the Beavers. OSU baseball is a good fit for him. Perfect Game says he is the best LHP in the nation in the '26 class and the 2nd best overall prospect nationally, Great kid, big time player. He actually has 4-5 pitches he commands. He is very good. |
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Post by easyheat on Feb 22, 2023 20:36:05 GMT -8
Leftys throw 1-7
Rightys throw 11-5
The pitcher is in the clock, not facing it.
Baseball 101, Kersting my man.
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Post by kersting13 on Feb 23, 2023 0:04:23 GMT -8
Leftys throw 1-7 Rightys throw 11-5 The pitcher is in the clock, not facing it. Baseball 101, Kersting my man. There seem to be many people as dumb as me around, because I've read many an article referring to righties throwing 1/7. That said, there's enough weird stuff out there that I'm not gonna argue you're wrong. That's just how I've read it, and how it's always made sense to me. When I think of how a pitcher THROWS, it has always made more sense to me to refer to how I'm throwing vs how it looks coming in. I throw it 1/7, a batter sees it coming in 11/5. If Mel Stottlemyre says it's the opposite, who am I to argue? Cheers! |
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Post by easyheat on Feb 23, 2023 8:21:06 GMT -8
Well, for as long as I can remember, the pitcher is facing you when you look at the clock - he doesn't have his back to you when looking at the clock. Frankly, I have never heard a coach, manager or scout say otherwise.
Scouting reports will clear that up.
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Post by pc8080 on Aug 11, 2024 3:47:04 GMT -8
He has not committed but I do not believe OSU will be his destination. Stanford is not in consideration at all. May not be out of it. I do believe he will go first round but OSU is in the mix. This all happened recently |
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Post by chinmusic on Aug 11, 2024 13:42:14 GMT -8
Kruz keeps getting bigger, stronger and throwing harder - he's now being listed at 6-8 and sitting in the mid-90's with his heater. He also can swing the bat. I've seen reference to him being the top lefty arm in the '25 draft.
It's a nice thought to see him pitching for the Beavers but his draft projection makes that an uphill battle for the OSU coaches. We can hope the current trend of some draft picks delaying pro ball and choosing college might apply here.
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Post by aicandme on Sept 23, 2024 13:45:32 GMT -8
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Post by easyheat on Sept 25, 2024 15:50:09 GMT -8
IMHO, Dorman would not be posting those pics on his X-feed unless there was something there or something coming shortly.
Amazing - Oregon State's power on the recruiting trail is rapidly becoming, well for lack of a better term . . . outrageous.
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Post by easyheat on Sept 26, 2024 8:00:44 GMT -8
On 9-26 Baseball America said Kruz is looking at Florida and Oregon State but will likely sign in the '25 draft. A two-step process maybe? First we convince him OSU is a superior choice to Florida, second we convince him college ball is the better choice initially over the Pros.
That's a whole lot of convincing to be done!
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