Pirates Go To Data For Craig

PITTSBURGH—The Pirates have extensively used advanced statistical analysis as an aid in evaluating professional players and designing game strategy since Neal Huntington became the general manager in 2007.

However, when it came to scouting amateur players, the Pirates have usually depended on the eyes of their scouts when making decisions on the draft and international free agents.

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That changed Thursday night when the Pirates selected Wake Forest third baseman/first baseman Will Craig in the first round of the 2016 draft with the 22nd overall pick.

Craig was not the most athletic player in the draft but he is a sabermetric favorite as an offensive player with power and patience.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound left-handed hitter had a .379/.520/.731 with 16 doubles, 16 home runs and 66 RBIs in 244 plate appearances. He drew 47 walks and was hit by 11 pitches while also going 2-0, 3.54 with nine saves in 19 relief appearances.

Most colleges recruited Craig as a pitcher as he hit 94 mph with his fastball in high in Johnson City, Tenn. However, he wanted the chance to be a hitter and signed with Wake Forest.

“It’s probably easier to make it to the major leagues when you throw in the mid-90s and it’s probably harder to make it as a hitter but I really believed hitting was my forte,” Craig said. “I’m thankful I had a chance to prove that at Wake Forest and now have the opportunity to prove it again in professional baseball.”

Craig, 21, is one of five finalists for the 2016 Dick Howser Trophy, which is awarded to the top player in collegiate baseball. He is also a semifinalist for the 2016 Golden Spikes Award, which is awarded to the top amateur baseball player in the United States.

Craig was a first-team All-American  this season after finishing third in the nation in slugging percentage and eighth in on-base percentage.

He was the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2015 when he hit .382 with 13 home runs, 58 RBIs, 52 runs scored, a .496 OBP and .702 slugging percentage in 53 games.

Craig already has an idea of what it takes to be successful in the major leagues as he is friends with Tigers lefthander Daniel Norris. They were teammates for two seasons at Science Hill High School before Norris was drafted in the second round by the Blue Jays following his senior year in 2011.

“He was my ride to practice when I was freshman because I was 15 and didn’t have my driver’s license yet,” Craig said. “He was a great mentor to me and he really helped me become a more mature and help reach the point I’m at today.”

PITTBURGERS

• Lefthander Nick Lodolo was chosen in Lottery Round A from Damien High School in LaVerne, Calif., with the 41st overall pick. The 6-foot-6, 180-pounder has shined on the high school showcase circuit and committed to play collegiately at Texas Christian.

• High Class A Bradenton shortstop Kevin Newman, last year’s first-round pick from the University of Arizona, is likely out until sometime in July after suffering a fractured orbital bone when he hit on the left eye by a pitch. He was hitting .346/.414/.444 in 38 games and 176 plate appearances.