Just two hours after making his Bridge League debut on a sunny Saturday morning at the Peoria Sports Complex, the Padres’ 2025 first-round pick didn’t bask in the spotlight. Instead, he sat quietly behind the backstop in the driver’s seat of a golf cart, locked in deep conversation with Ron Rizzi, the Padres’ senior adviser to scouting and a baseball lifer with more than 50 years of experience.
Rather than watching the action on the field, Schoolcraft soaked up Rizzi’s decades of hard-earned wisdom. Schoolcraft was wise to listen. Rizzi offered clear, valuable feedback—subtle adjustments that could sharpen the edges of his breaking ball and unlock the full potential of his pitch mix.
“I’m just trying to pick his brain,” Schoolcraft said. “He’s been around the game forever.”
At just 18 years old, Schoolcraft is only at the beginning of his career, but he’s already laying a foundation built on humility, curiosity and work ethic. In his debut, he tossed one inning against the Mariners, throwing 15 pitches (11 for strikes). His fastball sat 97–99 mph, complemented by a 90 mph changeup. He did not throw his slider. After giving up a leadoff double to Seattle’s Brayden Corn, Schoolcraft regrouped and struck out the side.
The 6-foot-8 lefty pairs rare size with smooth mechanics and elite extension that helps his stuff play up. His changeup was considered one of the best in the 2025 prep class, while his slider shows flashes of becoming an above-average offering with further refinement.
After the whirlwind of draft season, Schoolcraft and the Padres eased into a carefully structured throwing program. It ran a little longer than expected, but the team prioritized caution after a taxing lead-up to the draft.
Now, facing pro hitters for the first time, Schoolcraft is sticking to what’s always worked.
“I try not to make it too different than when I’m back home playing high school baseball,” said the Oregon native. “It’s still the same game. You’ve just got to go out there and compete.”
The next step in his development is already underway. Schoolcraft will remain in Peoria through instructional league, which begins at the end of the week. It’s another opportunity in his development to sharpen his tools and learn from the pros around him.
But for now, he’s focused on keeping it simple.
“My goal is just to have fun,” Schoolcraft said. “Just enjoy it, and learn as much as I can.”
Padres Arms Make Strong Impressions
Pitching was on full display for the Padres that day.
Carson Montgomery followed Schoolcraft and threw one inning of relief. His fastball sat at 95-97 mph, and he incorporated his slider. After straining his forearm and undergoing Tommy John surgery last season, Montgomery is steadily building back to full health.
He will be one of the Padres’ representatives in the Arizona Fall League and hopes to be ready to return to affiliate ball at the start of next season.
Undrafted free agent Brandon Langley also fared well. The Western Carolina product pitched on the Cape Cod League this summer and later signed with the Padres. The Canadian righthander shows an 89-92 mph fastball and a 76-78 mph curveball. He operates from the first base side of the mound, with an inward leg kick and a high three-quarters slot delivery with some extension.
Early Scouting Report On Reds First-Rounder Steele Hall
While a handful of top prep draft picks—including Ethan Holliday, Gavin Fien and Kayson Cunningham—have already moved on to affiliated ball, Reds first-rounder Steele Hall remains in Goodyear. The decision reflects Cincinnati’s patient, development-focused approach with the young infielder.
Hall has consistently slotted into the No. 2 or cleanup spot during games and flashed a quick, compact swing that plays to all fields.
But his speed has turned the most heads early on. In one of his first in-game reps, he beat out an infield single with a blazing home-to-first time of 3.96 seconds—a borderline elite time even by MLB standards. His athleticism is evident in nearly everything he does, whether it’s stretching a single into a double or covering ground up the middle on defense.
Happy bridge league opening day to those baseball sickos who celebrate.
Here’s Reds first-rounder Steele Hall recording an infield hit after beating out the throw to first with a run time of 3.96. pic.twitter.com/9vrwvWcpNt
— Jesús Cano (@Jesus_Cano88) July 29, 2025
Hall has also shown an advanced feel for the shortstop position, displaying fluid footwork, smooth actions and the ability to make throws from multiple angles. He covers ground with ease and pairs his range with a strong, accurate arm.
Offensively, he’s still working through the expected early adjustments. He’s been a bit late on velocity at times and tends to fall behind in counts, which can lead to some forced or questionable swing decisions. But those are typical growing pains for a prep bat. The Reds are confident that with continued reps and refinement, his timing and approach will catch up to his natural tools.
Ty Doucette, Reds 10th-round pick out of Rutgers, shows a decent mix of plate discipline and contact skills, giving him a foundation to build on offensively. His steep swing path results in a high percentage of balls in the air.
Jirvin Morillo, an 18-year-old Venezuelan catcher, has garnered a bit of attention from scouts. He impressed at the plate with consistent hard contact and advanced feel. Showed a live arm with two-way potential and a projectable frame. His receiving and blocking remain raw, but the tools are there.
Morillo slashed .259/.381/.431 with four home runs and 27 RBIs in the 2025 DSL season, the second time playing in the league.
Rangers’ Two-Way Talent Josh Owens Flashes Potential
Some evaluators felt Rangers third-rounder Josh Owens was one of the best pure talents in the bridge league circuit this year, and he didn’t disappoint. An explosive athlete with pro-level pedigree, Owens offers intriguing two-way potential and the kind of raw tools that could develop into something special.
At the plate, he shows a balanced swing with natural barrel control and gap-to-gap power. His feel for the strike zone is advanced for his age, and there’s real power on the way as he continues to fill out. While his long limbs can lead to occasional swing-and-miss, the foundation is there for a well-rounded offensive profile.
Defensively, he’s equipped with the arm strength and mobility to handle shortstop, but his actions and footwork remain a work in progress. A shift to center field could unlock even more value, where his speed and instincts would play naturally.
On the mound, he’s not just a hard thrower. His fastball lives in the mid 90s with lively armside movement, and he pairs it with a sharp-breaking slider that already flashes potential. More than anything, he stands out for his energy, competitiveness and love for the game.
Rangers first-round pick Gavin Fien has a swing driven more by strength than quickness, but his raw power stands out and the ball jumps off his bat when he connects. He moves with some noticeable stiffness that shows up defensively at shortstop, but he still has a strong enough arm.
Both players were promoted to Low-A Hickory. Fien is hitting .269/.321/.462 through six games, while Owens has one hit through four games and also struck out three batters over two innings on the mound.
Two of the Rangers top draft picks were in the lineup in Bridge League action today.
Gavin Fien (first round) and Josh Owens (third round) each collected a hit for Texas.
Fien also homered on Monday. pic.twitter.com/L8cWLNb7ei
— Jesús Cano (@Jesus_Cano88) August 13, 2025
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