Will

Craig

Craig sought an opportunity overseas after being designated for assignment by the Pirates last month. The former first-round pick struggled mightily at the plate this season, hitting .217/.277/.300 with one homer across 65 plate appearances.

Craig cleared waivers earlier this week and will remain with the Pirates organization.

It’s been a rough few weeks for Craig, who was at the epicenter of an infamous fielding blunder involving Cubs’ speedster Javier Báez in late-May. The 26-year-old first baseman has also struggled mightily at the plate, hitting .217/.277/.300 with five runs scored, one homer and three RBI in 65 plate appearances. There should be some interest in the former first-round selection on waivers, and a change of scenery might be in his best interest from a long-term standpoint.

As you’ve surely seen by now, Craig, playing first, tried to chase Javier Baez back home after getting pulled slightly off the bag on Erik Gonzalez’s throw on a routine grounder to third. Chaos ensued, allowing a runner to score from second and Baez to reach second. It would have been an absurd play with none or one out, but what made it extra special was that with two outs, all Craig had to do was stand in the baseline for eternity (or, better yet, just tag first base) and the inning was over no matter what anyone on the Cubs did. Though the play could hardly be termed anything but an error, it was ruled a hit for Baez, because mental errors aren’t errors for some reason.

Craig clobbered a homer off of Camilo Doval in the eighth inning to bring the Pirates to within 3-1. It would get no closer. Craig was just called up from Indianapolis on Thursday after hitting three homers for that club, and the former first-round pick has never been bereft of power. It looks like Craig is going to be getting some playing time, so those in NL-only leagues or who need help in the CI spot might want to take a closer look.

Craig had slugged three home runs with seven RBI through seven games this season at the Triple-A level and projects to see something close to everyday playing time at first base in Pittsburgh. The former first-round pick was designated for assignment by the Bucs over the winter but passed through waivers unclaimed and is now going to get a real shot to stick around at the MLB level.

And right-hander Miguel Yajure will also be promoted on Thursday. Craig was designated for assignment by the Bucs over the winter, but he passed through waivers unclaimed and has been lighting it up so far this season at Triple-A Indianapolis. The former first-round pick could get an everyday shot with Pittsburgh.

Craig cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week. The 26-year-old went 0-for-4 during his first stint in the majors this past season.

Ashton Goudeau, claimed off waivers from the Rockies on Wednesday, will fill the vacant 40-man roster spot. Craig, 26, went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in his first taste of MLB action this past season in Pittsburgh.

Craig was up briefly last week. His stay this time also figures to be short, as he’s taking Bryan Reynolds’ roster spot while Reynolds is on paternity leave.