Welcome back to LWOS 2016 MLB Draft Coverage, the column that brings you player profiles for the next crop of professional baseball players that are likely to be selected in the upcoming draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow us on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical profiles and scouting reports. Click here to check out our complete coverage of the 2016 MLB Draft. Last Word On Sports is your new headquarters for all things 2016 MLB Draft!
Overview:
Position: INF/RHP
Height: 6-3
Weight: 235
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Will Craig 2016 MLB Draft Profile
Will Craig is a junior at Wake Forest and is from Johnson City, Tennessee. Craig was the 2015 ACC Player of the Year and is a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award this season. Craig will most likely play first or third once drafted but has started games on the mound and been used out of the bullpen at Wake Forest and has seen time as a designated hitter as well. Craig has improved his HR, RBI, walks, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage in each of his three seasons. Unsurprisingly his coach has high praise for his star, “There isn’t anything Will can’t do on the baseball field,” coach Walter said.
Strengths:
- Hits for power with good contact, a high average and a low strikeout rate
- Strong arm
- Versatile, can play third, first, pitch, and transition to an outfield corner
Weaknesses:
- Not a good athlete, slow runner
- Below average defender, not enough range to stay at third
- All his value is tied to his bat, doesn’t offer much defensively or on the bases
MLB Comparison: Billy Butler, Oakland Athletics
Projected Pick Range: 19-30
Most Likely Landing Spot: New York Mets, both Bleacherreport and MLB.com have Craig going to the Mets at 19.
Bottom Line
Some scouts and baseball people view Craig as the best college bat in the draft, while others think he might slide in the draft because if he doesn’t hit at the next level, he isn’t athletic enough or good enough defensively to offer a team taking him in the first round. However, the consensus is that Craig will hit at the next level and judging by his improvements from season to season at Wake Forest, he may get even better at the plate when he transitions to wood bats. A production over projection player, his .382/.527/.742 slash line in one of the two best conferences in college baseball shows that his one great tool warrants a round 1 selection and a potentially bright MLB future.
Sources: MLB.com, Bleacherreport.com, Wakeforestsports.com, fueledbysports.com, fangraphs.com
Main Photo via YouTube.com
