2016 MLB Draft: Profiling 15 Potential Cardinals First-Rounders

2016 MLB Draft: Profiling 15 Prospects Who Could be First-Round Candidates for the St. Louis Cardinals

Jun 20, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Virginia Cavaliers catcher Matt Thaiss (21) looks at his first inning home run in the first inning against the Florida Gators in the 2015 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

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Will Craig, 3B, Wake Forest

Craig might have the best pure hitting skill of any position player in this year’s draft, but his stocky 6-foot-3, 235-pound frame limits his potential as a third baseman in the big leagues and might limit him to first base as a pro. He’s hit .385/.532/.753 with 16 homers and 65 RBI through 174 at-bats this season, though, so if he can carry that same type of all-around skill with the bat as he advances up the prospect ladder, he should be a pretty valuable hitter as a major-leaguer.

Craig would be the sixth player taken by the Cardinals as a third baseman during the first five rounds since 2012, but since they’ve found different positions for guys like Stephen Piscotty and Carson Kelly, they should have no problem doing the same with Craig if necessary. Jim Callis mentioned him as a candidate for the Cardinals at pick 23.

Next: Eric Lauer, LHP

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