MORGANTOWN, WV – Twelve days.
Will Craig had twelve days to make the transition from a collegiate star to a budding prospect. In that time, Craig played his last game at Wake Forest (a loss to Minnesota in the College World Series Regional), was drafted in the first round by the Pirates, won Division I National Player of the Year, signed his first professional contract, and donned a West Virginia Black Bears uniform.
That whirlwind of excitement and adjustment has, understandably, left Craig feeling unsettled. However, those major changes have affected him little compared to the everyday minutiae of Minor League Baseball.
The biggest adjustment for Craig so far has been the bat. In college, Craig dominated with a lighter alloy bat. In his final year, he hit .371 with 16 homers. While the 2011 BBCOR ruling eliminated much of the “give” associated with metal bats, collegiate bats still don’t operate like those made of wood.
“The barrel size and weight is a little bit different than wood,” explained Craig. “I’m trying to use a similar bat that’s a little bit heavier than what I’m used to.”
The abrupt shift in bat weight and size has led to Craig’s early struggles. Through his first 13 at-bats, Craig had one hit, an RBI single in the season opener. His other contact had mostly gone to right field, indicating his bat may still be lagging through the strike zone. He got a few more hits after that, but still has just four in his first 27 at-bats.
Craig is familiar with this struggle, though.
“In the summer leagues, I used wood for two months. It’s kind of the same thing,” said Craig. “I was always a little slow starting off, and then, within a few weeks, I started getting a little bit better here and there, and then as soon as I got into a good groove, I had to go back to metal in college.”
Looking through Craig’s results in the Cape Cod League, which uses wood bats, in 2015, his successful acclimation in the latter half of the season is evident. One month into the season, on July 12, Craig was hitting .208/.390/.221, but by the end of the season, on August 2, Craig’s line had climbed to .242/.366/.318.
Craig’s power began to emerge as well; six of Craig’s seven doubles as well as his only home run came in the second half of the season. For now, Craig and Black Bears hitting coach Jonathan Prieto are not concerned.
“There’s not much to tweak,” Craig said, regarding his swing. “[Prieto] says just get back in the box, keep swinging, keep fighting, grinding, so that’s the one thing I’m trying to do.”
Depending on how the Pirates handle Ke’Bryan Hayes, the first-round pick in 2015 who is a more natural third baseman, Craig may have further transitions headed his way.
Craig is listed at 6′ 3″, 212, and does not seem to be terribly mobile at the hot corner. He spent some time at first base and pitcher in college, but so far, the Black Bears are trying to develop Craig’s ability at third.
“If they wanted me at first, they probably would have started me out at first,” said Craig.
In light of this, Craig has been dedicating himself to improving the fielding aspect of his game.
“The game speeds up with every level, college to pro ball, short season, A, High-A,” said Craig. “That’s probably the biggest thing for me in fielding, everything speeding up. Before it catches me, I’m trying to catch it.”
It is doubtful, however, given Hayes’s success and natural ability that Craig will stay at third long-term. If his bat comes through, there’s even a chance that Craig moves downstate to the West Virginia Power before the season is out, complicating the Hayes/Craig scenario; Craig certainly doesn’t seem the type to remain at third through Altoona and Indianapolis. If he wants to continue to succeed and grow in those upper levels, Craig will need to start putting wood to ball and awakening the promised power he showed in college.
