Eli
Craft

C Eli Craft (Monticello, 2025) has continued to really impress our staff this summer after seeing brief looks this spring. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitter may have some of the best catch and receive traits in the state’s 2025 class. Athletic and agile, Craft moves well behind the dish and has a high motor with leadership traits. He has an aggressive swing that remains in control with uphill tendencies, and as he continues to add strength, his power tool will naturally tick up. During gameplay, Craft turned around on an 86 mph fastball and sent it down the left field line for a single.

C Eli Craft (Monticello, 2025) has continued to really impress our staff this summer after seeing brief looks this spring. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed hitter may have some of the best catch and receive traits in the state’s 2025 class. Athletic and agile, Craft moves well behind the dish and has a high motor with leadership traits. He has an aggressive swing that remains in control with uphill tendencies, and as he continues to add strength, his power tool will naturally tick up. During gameplay, Craft turned around on an 86 mph fastball and sent it down the left field line for a single. 

C Eli Craft (Monticello, 2025) was another name that caught our eye this past IHSA season, earning a mention within our ‘Week 3 Scout Blog’ as a result. On Tuesday, Craft made the trip to Normal and came away as an arrow-up name in the state’s soon-to-be junior group. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound backstop worked gap-to-gap in BP from a strong, short, and uphill right-handed swing with all kinds of fluidity and rhythm. He averaged 255 feet per batted ball and peaked at 326 feet, two metrics that should trend upward as he continues to physically fill out his frame. Defensively, Craft was an active worker in the bullpens, receiving with intent and soft hands. During the workout his arm played around the bag with a low pop time of 2.04 on his quickest bullet. 

Positional Profile: C
Body: 6-1, 175-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall start, balanced lower half, rhythmic hand load, short stride. Long and uphill bat path, looks to elevate, favors the pull-side. 66 mph bat speed with 8 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 85.5 mph. 326’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C - 74 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: 2.04-2.12 pop times. Agile behind the dish, quick first step.
Run: 7.57 runner in the 60.

C Eli Craft (Monticello, 2025) was another name that caught our eye this past IHSA season, earning a mention within our ‘Week 3 Scout Blog’ as a result. On Tuesday, Craft made the trip to Normal and came away as an arrow-up name in the state’s soon-to-be junior group. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound backstop worked gap-to-gap in BP from a strong, short, and uphill right-handed swing with all kinds of fluidity and rhythm. He averaged 255 feet per batted ball and peaked at 326 feet, two metrics that should trend upward as he continues to physically fill out his frame. Defensively, Craft was an active worker in the bullpens, receiving with intent and soft hands. During the workout his arm played around the bag with a low pop time of 2.04 on his quickest bullet.

Emerged as an uncommitted 2025 to follow moving forward. 6-foot, 170-pound, athletic build with projection. Was the battery mate to Buckalew and stood out in all-facets of the games. Showed an above-average arm with the ability to command the game behind the plate, impressive for a sophomore.. Quality receiver, quiet hands, willing blocker with quick transfers coming out of the crouch. Offensively, quiet, relaxed look in the box, compact, quick swing with strength in the hands. Was on time, taking a number of quality swings throughout. Impressive first varisty look at the sophomore catcher.