The Pittsburgh Pirates have a problem right now with their best hitter in the majors and at Triple-A. They are both putting up big stats, but they also both play first base. On Saturday night, they are going to try to help that situation out by putting Will Craig in right field for Indianapolis.
Craig has not played a position other than first base over the last three seasons. He played third base, some first base and even pitched often in college, but he’s been strictly at first base since the start of 2017. He actually got his first taste of the position in pro ball during the Fall Instructional League in 2016, after debuting in pro ball at third base.
Outfield wouldn’t have been an option back then due to conditioning, but Craig is in much better shape than he was when drafted, and even if 2017 when he wore down late in the Florida State League. That makes outfield a possibility now, though from what I told today, he is in the very early stages of learning the position.
It seems like this move is designed to get his bat to Pittsburgh soon, so we will see how he handles the position and whether they feel he is a viable option out there.
Also as an added note from Indianapolis, Jung Ho Kang will be playing shortstop tonight. His first start there of the season.
